MATES – Indian Nationals (Live & Work In Aus)

The Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES), Subclass 403 visa stream, provides an opportunity for eligible Indian university graduates and early career professionals from India’s top universities to live and work in Australia temporarily. The process begins with a pre-application ballot designed to ensure fair and transparent selection. Here’s everything you need to know about the MATES ballot registration process and visa application.

The first ballot for this visa stream opens for registrations from December 2024.

Overview of the MATES Ballot

The MATES ballot allows eligible Indian nationals to register for a chance to apply for the Subclass 403 visa. The Australian Government allocates 3,000 primary applicant places annually through this ballot. Successful registrants may also include members of their family unit in their visa applications, but family members do not count toward the 3,000 cap.

A non-refundable AUD25.00 registration fee applies to enter the ballot. However, registration does not guarantee selection. Those selected have 30 calendar days to apply for the visa.

Eligibility for the Ballot

To register for the MATES ballot, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Age: Be between 18 and 30 years old (inclusive) at the opening of the ballot registration period.
• Nationality: Hold a valid Indian passport.
• Graduation: Have graduated within 2 years from an eligible educational institution at the time of application
• Degree: Hold a qualification (Bachelor’s degree or higher) in one of the following:
  • renewable energy
  • mining
  • engineering
  • Information Communications Technology (ICT)
  • artificial intelligence (AI)
  • financial technology (FinTech)
  • agricultural technology (AgriTech).
• Unique Registration: Have not previously participated in MATES.
• Fee Payment: Pay the AUD25.00 ballot registration fee.

Registrants can be inside or outside Australia during registration but must apply for the visa from outside Australia if selected.

How to Register for the Ballot

1. Set Up an ImmiAccount: Create or log in to your ImmiAccount.
2. Complete the Registration Form: Provide details such as your name, date of birth, passport and PAN details, email address, eligible qualifications, and field of study.
3. Submit the Registration: Agree to the eligibility declarations and submit your form.
4. Pay the Registration Fee: The AUD25.00 fee must be paid online for the registration to be valid.

Family Participation

Eligible family members, such as spouses or partners, can register separately for the ballot. If selected, the primary applicant can include family members in their visa application.

After Registration

• Monitor Status: Check the status of your registration through ImmiAccount.
• Selection Notification: If selected, you will receive a Notification of Selection letter with a deadline to apply for the visa.
• Unselected Registrations: If unselected, registrations will expire at the end of the ballot process.

Key Points About the Visa

• Visa Cost: The MATES visa fee is AUD365.00 for the primary applicant. Additional fees apply for each subsequent dependent family member – 18 years & above AUD365.00, below 18 AUD95.00
• Duration: The visa is valid for up to 2 years from the date of first entry into Australia.
• Work and Travel: Visa holders can live, work, and travel freely in and out of Australia during this time. Visa holders will have 12 months to make their first entry into Australia, and may stay in Australia for 24 months from the date of first entry. The visa will allow multiple entries to Australia.
• Family Members: Family unit members included in the visa must meet health and character requirements.
• No Extensions: The visa cannot be extended. Applicants must apply for a new visa if they wish to stay longer.

Is there Australian employer sponsorship requirement?

There will be no requirement for sponsorship by an Australian employer to be eligible to apply for a visa as part of MATES.

Visa Application Process

1. Eligibility Check: Only selected ballot participants can apply for the visa.
2. Application Timeline: Applications must be submitted within 30 days of selection.
3. Documentation: Prepare and upload all required documents.
4. Decision: Applicants will be notified of the visa outcome in writing.

Important Reminders

• Stay Lawful: Ballot registration is not a visa application and does not grant a bridging visa.
• Selection Does Not Guarantee Visa Approval: Applicants must meet all visa eligibility criteria.
• No Refunds: Registration and visa fees are non-refundable.

Will MATES visa holders be able to extend their stay?

Participants may extend their period of stay in Australia by applying for another visa permitting temporary or permanent residence, provided they meet all eligibility requirements for the visa.

Amitava Deb

• Amitava is a gold medallist from India’s premier technical institute, IIT Kharagpur.
• He has worked with some of the world’s top companies such as Sony Australia Pty. Ltd., Siemens AG Germany, Clarity International Ltd., Reliance Communications and Optus Sydney.
• Amitava is a Chartered Professional Engineer accredited by Engineers Australia. He is a full member of this esteemed association.
• He is a member of the Australian Computer Society, Tele Management Forum and Worldwide Institute of Software Architects.
• Amitava is a well-recognised name in the ICT Professional Community in Australia.