MATES Migration Scheme:
The Australian Federal Budget Document, released recently, announced the start date for the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) for Indian Nationals.
- Australia and India entered into a Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA).
- The MMPA is a bilateral framework that supports and promotes two-way migration and mobility between our two countries while addressing issues pertaining to illegal and irregular migration.
- The Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-Professionals Scheme, or ‘MATES’, is a new scheme established under the MMPA to enable the temporary mobility of Indian university graduates and early career professionals.
- MATES aims to encourage mutually beneficial skills and knowledge transfer between Australia and India.
- Under the scheme, Indian graduates and early career professionals (aged 18 to 30 years) with knowledge and skills in targeted fields of study will be offered a new temporary mobility pathway, to live and work in Australia for up to two years.
- Eligibility Criteria for MATES: MATES will be open to Indian Nationals who are:
- Must be 30 years old or younger at the time of application
- Have not previously participated in MATES
- Have proficient English language skills
- Have graduated within two years from an eligible educational institution at the time of application
- Hold a qualification (Bachelor’s degree or higher) in target fields of study
- There will be no requirement for sponsorship by an Australian employer to be eligible to apply for a visa as part of MATES.
