Australia has announced a new, highly anticipated pathway for young Indian graduates: 3,000 annual visas with no job offer or employer sponsorship required, offered under the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-Professionals Scheme (MATES).
Because headlines move fast and social media oversimplifies, many people are misunderstanding how this scheme works — or assuming it sounds “too easy” to be real.
This guide cuts through the noise and explains the program clearly so that students, parents, and young professionals can make informed decisions.
MATES is a bilateral initiative between India and Australia created under the India–Australia Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement. It is designed to make mobility easier for high-skilled, early-career Indian graduates who want short-term work experience in Australia.
The main idea behind the scheme is simple:
Australia needs young talent, and India has an enormous pool of qualified graduates in STEM and emerging professional fields.
Instead of requiring a job offer or employer sponsorship, Australia will use a ballot system — a lottery — that randomly selects candidates from the applicant pool.
If selected, applicants can apply for a temporary visa that allows them to live and work in Australia for up to two years.
There is nothing shady or experimental about the program.
It’s an official, government-approved pathway created through a formal international agreement.
Many countries use similar ballot-based systems, including the UK Youth Mobility Scheme and New Zealand’s working holiday programs.
The MATES visa simply provides an accessible entry point for Indian graduates without the usual barriers of employer sponsorship, job contracts, or high financial thresholds.
Eligibility is specific — this program is not for every graduate and not for every academic field.
To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Only Indian passport holders are eligible.
Permanent residents of other countries are not included.
Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application.
Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher within the last two years.
Degrees must be in disciplines that Australia has identified as priority fields. While the government may update these lists, the general areas include:
The idea is to attract young professionals in sectors that align with Australia’s economic and technological needs.
Applicants must show a functional level of English, usually proven through standardised tests.
Accepted tests normally include IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or similar assessments.
Your degree must be recent — typically completed within two years before applying.
The ballot entry is simple and low-cost.
There are no complicated documents or interviews at this stage.
The fee is expected to be around AUD 25 — approximately ₹1,400.
You provide your:
No job offer or proof of funds is needed at this stage.
Australia selects 3,000 individuals per year.
If selected, you receive an invitation to apply for the actual visa.
You then proceed to the full visa application, which includes:
The MATES visa allows you to stay for up to two years.
This period is meant to give graduates the chance to:
It is a temporary pathway and is not currently a direct route to permanent residency, but experience gained during your stay can strengthen future applications for skilled visas.
This is the key feature that makes the program unique.
Most Australian work visas require sponsorship, labour market testing, or employer involvement.
MATES does not.
Once you arrive in Australia, you can:
The flexibility makes it appealing for early-career professionals who want exposure before committing to long-term pathways.
It’s straightforward:
MATES aligns perfectly with these interests.
This depends entirely on how many people apply.
If 30,000 people enter the ballot, your chance is roughly 10%.
If 10,000 people enter, your chance is 30%.
Because the program is new, the first year will give us the clearest picture of how competitive it will be.
However, the low cost makes it an accessible opportunity worth exploring for many.
The MATES visa itself is not a direct PR pathway, but it can contribute meaningfully to your long-term plan.
You can leverage:
After your two-year stay, you may explore:
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