Australia’s New MATES Visa: A Gateway for Indian Early-Career Professionals
Australia has introduced an exciting new opportunity for young Indian professionals through the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES). This initiative offers 3,000 visa spots for the 2025–26 program year, and registrations are open until December 14, 2025 through a simple online ballot.
The scheme forms part of the Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa – Subclass 403, designed to help emerging professionals gain valuable international experience—without requiring employer sponsorship.
What Is the MATES Visa Scheme?
The MATES visa gives young Indian nationals a chance to live and work in Australia for a limited period, with the purpose of strengthening professional links between India and Australia. The program is not intended to fill immediate workforce shortages or provide a pathway to permanent residency.
A major advantage of the scheme is its flexibility: no Australian employer sponsorship is needed, making it more accessible than many other work visas.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The program is tailored for individuals in the early stages of their careers—those who have recently completed a recognized degree or have only a few years of professional experience.
To qualify, applicants must:
Hold a university degree completed recently (within the required timeframe)
Demonstrate competent English language proficiency
Meet Australia’s health and character standards
Be a national of an eligible country, which includes India
How the Ballot System Works
Because interest is expected to exceed the number of available spots, Australia uses a random ballot (lottery) to choose who can apply.
Ballot Steps:
Register through ImmiAccount, Australia’s online immigration portal.
Submit your ballot entry between November 3 and December 14, 2025.
Pay the AUD 25 non-refundable ballot fee.
Wait for the ballot draw.
If selected, you’ll receive an email notification.
You then have 30 days to submit your full visa application.
Only those drawn in the ballot are invited to apply for the visa.
Requirements After Being Selected
If you’re chosen in the ballot and wish to proceed, you will need to provide:
Proof of your completed university qualification
English language test results
Valid passport and ID documents
Evidence of health insurance
Payment of the visa application fee (separate from the ballot fee)
Make sure all documents are ready to upload when lodging your visa application.
Step-by-Step Overview
Enter the ballot via ImmiAccount and pay the AUD 25 fee.
Receive ballot results by email.
If selected, submit your Subclass 403 (MATES stream) application within 30 days.
Wait for visa processing.
Once approved, you can begin planning your stay and work experience in Australia.
Key Things to Remember
The scheme is not a pathway to permanent residency.
Only 3,000 places are available for Indian applicants in 2025–26.
Selection is completely random, so meeting eligibility doesn’t guarantee a place.
It’s a unique chance to gain international exposure without employer sponsorship.
For more details please contact my team. Thanks Regards
+91 93604 54326
