Australia’s Latest Updates on the MATES Program for Indian Nationals in 2024

Starting November 1, 2024, the Australian Government will make adjustments to the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) program for Indian nationals. Under this program, Indian graduates aged 18 to 30 with specialized talents in targeted industries would be given a new temporary mobility pathway to work in Australia.

What is the MATES Program?

The MATES program is a ground-breaking effort within the larger Australia-India Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement. This project aims to provide young Indian professionals aged 18 to 30 with up to two years of foreign work experience in Australia. The initiative seeks to attract talent in specialist disciplines such as technology, engineering, and science, which correspond to Australia’s skill shortage areas.

MATES Program for Indian Nationals 2024

The major goal of MATES is to provide 3,000 Indian graduates and early-career professionals with a new mobility pathway to live and work in Australia for up to 2 years. This is surely an excellent opportunity for Indian nationals to work in Australia in 2024.

Furthermore, under a bilateral agreement, “the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA),” agreed by India and Australia, the Department of Home Affairs is ready to:

“Extend the validity of the Visitor visa (subclass 600) and Business visitor stream for Indian nationals. The new validity period for visiting visas would be increased from three to five years.

It is predicted that this visa extension will generate an additional $435 million in earnings over the next five years, beginning in 2023-2024. Furthermore, the government is scheduled to spend an additional $70.9 million within the same period.

The table below summarizes the expected budgetary budget for the MATES program and visiting visa extensions for Indian nationals in the years 2023-2028. This information comes from the Australian Government’s official paper “Budget Paper No. 2,” which was released on May 14, 2024.

This is how it works.

To begin, let’s define receipts and payments in this context.

Receipts: This is the amount of money that the Australian government will earn from the new MATES program and the extension of Indian tourist visas.

Payments: This is the amount that the Australian government is anticipated to spend on the MATES program and visitor visa renewals.

So,

• In 2024-25, the Australian government intends to make $15 million while spending $3.1 million.
• In 2025-26, the Australian government intends to make $90 million while spending $16.3 million.
• In 2026-28, the government intends to receive $165 million and spend $25.7 million annually.
• It signifies that the government intends to earn more money each year than it spends.

Impact on Indian Professionals and Australian Industries.

For Indian professionals, the MATES program provides a unique opportunity to advance their careers by working in a highly developed market. It enables them to get foreign work experience and hone their professional skills in a competitive global market.

From an Australian perspective, the initiative addresses local skill shortages by bringing together a pool of skilled and motivated young professionals from India. This adds to the diversity and dynamism of the Australian workforce, promoting innovation and competitiveness in vital industries.

How to Apply to the MATES Program

Prospective applicants should prepare by making sure they match the qualifying requirements, which include educational credentials and professional abilities. They should also be aware of the precise application dates and procedures, which are available on the official Australian immigration website.

Frequently Asked Questions. MATES Program for Indian Nationals (2024)

What is the MATES visa scheme for Indians in Australia?

The MATES visa scheme allows Indian graduates and early-career professionals with valuable talents in specific industries to live and work in Australia for up to two years.

The MATES program is open to professionals in engineering, mining, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, financial technology, agricultural technology, and information and communication technology.

What is the history of the MATES program?

On May 23, 2023, Australia and India signed a bilateral agreement, “the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA),” to promote and ease two-way movement between the two countries. This agreement established a new program, the “Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES),” to allow Indian graduates to temporarily travel to Australia.

The primary purpose of MATES is to foster talent and knowledge exchange between India and Australia for the benefit of both countries.

How much does it cost to obtain a MATES visa in Australia?

The application process for MATES includes the following:

• The pre-application (ballot) price is $25.
• The visa application price is $365.
• The fees for the MATES visa application process will rise in tandem with the consumer price index.

What are the eligibility requirements to apply for a MATES visa in Australia?

To apply for a MATES visa in Australia, you must meet the following qualifying requirements:

• The MATES program requires you to be between the ages of 18 and 30.
• You must be fluent in English (IELTS score of 6.0).
• You must not have previously completed a MATES program at the time of application submission.
• MATES requires that you have graduated from an authorized Indian university in one of the recognized vocations.

Do I need a sponsor to apply to the MATES program?

No sponsorship is required to apply for the MATES program in Australia for Indian graduates and early-career professionals.

Can I bring my dependents to Australia under the MATES program?

It is possible for individuals who are participating in the MATES program and who hold visas to bring their dependents, such as their husbands and children, to Australia. In Australia, the dependents will be granted the right to work and reside for themselves.

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