On May 23, 2023, Australia and India signed a Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA). This bilateral framework fosters and facilitates the movement of people between the two nations while addressing concerns related to unauthorized migration. Within the MMPA framework, a fresh initiative known as the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-Professionals Scheme, or ‘MATES,‘ has been established. MATES is designed to facilitate the temporary mobility of Indian university graduates and young professionals, aiming to promote the exchange of skills and knowledge that benefits both Australia and India.
Under the MATES scheme, Australian employers are not required to sponsor applicants for visas. MATES participants, which will begin as a pilot program with 3,000 places annually, will have the opportunity to live and work in Australia for up to 2 years. Although there is no strict obligation for visa holders to work in their specific field of study, the scheme is designed to facilitate young professionals in expanding their skills and networks, particularly in designated sectors. Additionally, participants may apply to bring their dependents, including spouses and dependent children, who will also have work rights in Australia and will not be counted towards the annual cap. Visa holders will have 12 months to make their initial entry into Australia and can stay for up to 24 months from the date of their first entry, with multiple entries allowed. For those seeking an extension, it’s possible to apply for another visa that permits temporary or permanent residence, provided all eligibility criteria are met, although participation in MATES is limited to a single occurrence.
more information about the visa subclass and associated application fees will be provided soon. Additionally, there may be an extra fee for including additional dependent family members in the MATES application. Applicants will also need to cover other costs related to their application, including fees for English language testing.
As for the commencement of MATES, an Implementation Protocol is currently in the works. This protocol will define the operational details of MATES, ensuring diversity, fairness, and equitable access while maintaining the program’s integrity. However, there is no specific timeframe available for when MATES will be implemented at this time.
