The Australian Government has begun the registration process for Indian students under the 2025-26 Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-Professionals Scheme (MATES). Under this program, eligible Indian graduates are invited for applications to early-career professional. The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that the ballot began on November 1 and it will remain open till December 14, 2025. A total of 3,000 visa places are available for professionals looking for temporary work opportunities in Australia.
Australia MATES: Ballot-based registration process
Applicants must take part in a ballot-based registration system to fairly distribute the limited quota. The ballot opened on November 3 and will close on December 14, 2025. Eligible individuals need to register through ImmiAccount, pay a registration fee of AU $25, and await a random draw. Applicants who are chosen will be notified via email and must submit their visa application within 30 calendar days of receiving the notification.
Australia MATES: Visa information and eligibility
The MATES stream is part of the Temporary Work (International Relations) (Subclass 403) visa and does not require employer sponsorship, giving young Indian professionals additional flexibility. To be eligible, all applicants must meet the following requirements:
Age: The aspirant must be between the ages of 18-30 years.
Nationality: They hold a valid Indian passport and are outside Australia when applying.
Education: Have graduated within the last two years from a Top 100 NIRF-ranked Indian Institute.
Industry focus: Process qualification in eligible industries from renewable energy, mining, engineering, ICT, artificial intelligence, FinTech, and AgriTech.
Language: Meet English proficiency standards
Others: Pass health, character, and national security checks.
Australia MATES: Promoting mutual skills development
The MATES program is designed to foster the exchange of skills and professional cooperation between Australia and India. The announcement followed the signing of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement on May 24, 2023, which extended post-study work visa lengths for Indian graduates to a maximum of eight years.
This initiative is indicative of the commitment from both countries to work toward increasing mobility pathways for students, researchers, and early-career professionals, but it also fits into Australia’s broader aim of attracting skilled migrants for important developing sectors of the economy.
