In Short
- The MATES Visa programme is designed to assist businesses in sponsoring skilled workers, making the immigration process simpler and cost-effective.
- It streamlines the visa application process for employers needing to fill skill shortages quickly.
- The programme offers comprehensive support, including legal guidance, to facilitate a smooth sponsorship process.
Tips for Businesses
Consider the MATES Visa programme to efficiently address skill shortages in your workforce by sponsoring skilled workers. This programme offers support throughout the visa process, helping to ensure compliance with immigration requirements. It can be a practical solution for businesses seeking to attract and retain international talent swiftly.
Table of Contents
- Who is Eligible for the MATES Program?
- What is the Pre-Application (Ballot) Process?
- What Happens After the MATES Ballot Selects Me?
- What are the Nominated Fields of Study/Expertise?
- What Happens After Receiving the Visa Grant?
- What are the Visa Costs?
- Do I Need an Australian Employer Sponsorship?
- What Else Should I Know?
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Australian government recently entered into a partnership arrangement with the Indian government, which has created a new and unique migration pathway for Indian nationals to live and work in Australia temporarily. This partnership arrangement established the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme, or ‘MATES’, to encourage Indian university graduates and early career professionals to live and work in Australia. The program will commence on 12 November 2024, with a pilot capacity for 3,000 Indian graduates to migrate to Australia. This article will explain the pre-application ballot system for the MATES visa program and the eligibility requirements.
Who is Eligible for the MATES Program?
The program is open to those who are:
- Indian nationals;
- 30 years of age or younger;
- located outside Australia at the time the application is made;
- first-time participants of the program (Currently or previously not been in Australia on Subclass 403 (Temporary Work (International Relations)) visa in the MATES stream);
- satisfy the English Language requirements (showcased by an overall IELTS score of at least 6 or a minimum of 5 in each of the components); and
- graduated with a bachelor’s degree or higher within 2 years at the time of the application from an eligible educational institution in one of the nominated fields of study.
The program targets graduates and early career professionals, inclining them towards employment and industry-specific training opportunities in these specific Australian industries.
What is the Pre-Application (Ballot) Process?
Applicants can register for the MATES ballot through their ImmiAccount. You can only register once in each ballot process and you can only register when the ballot registration period is open.
The ballot process aims to be fair and transparent, giving all eligible applicants equal access to the MATES programme. It takes place annually, and if you happen to miss the registration period this year, you must wait till the next ballot period opens to apply, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.
The ballot status is expected to change during a programme year (pending, active, closed, expired). This will likely depend on:
- when registrations open;
- the number of registrations and selections; and
- whether the registration and/or selection periods are extended.
The first ballot registration period will open on 9th December 2024, with registrations closing on 7th January 2025. The related selection period will begin on 8th January 2025, during which the programme will randomly select registrations for the 2024-2025 year and close on 30th January 2025.
All registrations require a ballot registration fee of $25. After submission, you can monitor the status of your ballot registration through the ImmiAccount with which you applied for the ballot selection.
Continue reading this article below the formWhat Happens After the MATES Ballot Selects Me?
Please note that you can apply for a MATES visa only if the MATES ballot selects you randomly. You will receive a ‘Notification of Selection’ letter as evidence/proof of this selection.
You will have 30 days from the date of selection to complete and submit the visa application (Subclass 403 (International Relations) visa in the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professional Scheme stream).
If the ballot randomly selects you, the registration status of your application will change to ‘Received’. However, if the ballot selects you but you do not apply for the visa within the required period, the status will change to ‘Selection expired’. In this case, your registration on the ballot is no longer active, and you cannot use this registration anymore. You may submit a new registration in a future MATES ballot if you are still eligible at that time.
What are the Nominated Fields of Study/Expertise?
The outlined fields are:
- renewable energy;
- mining;
- engineering;
- information communications technology (ICT);
- artificial intelligence (AI);
- financial technology (FinTech); and
- agricultural technology (AgriTech).
What Happens After Receiving the Visa Grant?
Subclass 403 MATES steam visa holders must enter Australia within 12 months from the date of their visa grant. The visa allows participants to stay in Australia for up to 24 months or 2 years from the date of their first entry. The visa also permits multiple entries to Australia.
However, you have the additional opportunity to remain in Australia after two years. You can either apply for a temporary or permanent visa pathway, subject to meeting eligibility requirements and following current rules and regulations at that time.
Furthermore, under the MATES program, you have the option to bring family, such as a spouse and/or children, with you. These dependent family members will not count towards the 3000 places and will have unlimited work rights in Australia. The annual cap applies to the total number of primary applicants, which is projected to be 3000 participants in 2024, not including the dependent family members.
What are the Visa Costs?
The visa will have a pre-application, also called a ‘ballot’, that costs $25. This is separate from the application fee of $365, which must be paid at the time of visa lodgement. If you include dependents in your MATES visa application, additional fees will apply.
Do I Need an Australian Employer Sponsorship?
You do not need to have an employer sponsorship to apply for a visa under this program.
Although you do not need to pursue opportunities or continue working in your nominated areas, this programme aims to support young professionals in broadening their ability, aptitude, understanding, and connections in the identified Australian sectors.
What Else Should I Know?
The scheme offers participants who would not otherwise be eligible to apply for an Australian skilled visa an opportunity to do so. It also promotes regular and legal visitor movement from India to Australia and strengthens the longstanding professional and economic partnerships between the two countries.
The program offers participants a unique opportunity to smoothly integrate into the job market, benefiting both them and their employers. The nominated fields chosen for the program reflect the current and ongoing demand and the importance of securing expertise for advancement and innovation.
Sponsoring overseas workers as an Australian business is complicated. Let us simplify it for you with this free employer guide.
Key Takeaways
The MATES visa program will bring 3000 talented and proficient applicants into Australia. The unlimited working rights for dependent family members and the potential for transitioning into a permanent visa pathway (subject to eligibility) make this program a lucrative visa option. It is a value-adding initiative rooted in the need to promote flexible skill sets in the Australian professional landscape. The program also highlights the significant economic, social, and cultural importance of this partnership for both countries.
If you need help choosing the right visa, our experienced immigration lawyers can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on 1300 544 755 or visit our membership page.
Frequently Asked Questions
As noted in the eligibility criteria, you can participate only once. You must be a first-time participant in the programme.
Applicants must submit copies of their valid Indian Passport and Permanent Account Number (PAN card) with their pre-application form.
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