Australia's MATES programme explained: What it means for Indian applicants
Australia has opened a route for young Indian professionals under the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES), creating a new pathway for short-term work and international exposure. The scheme, part of the Subclass 403 Temporary Work ( International Relations) visa, allows eligible Indian graduates and early career workers to live and work in Australia for up to two years.
The Department of Home Affairs has capped the annual intake at 3,000 visas, with applications determined through a pre-application ballot.
Who qualifies for the ballot-based process
The MATES stream is introduced for candidates with knowledge and skills in selected high-growth sectors, including renewable energy, mining, engineering, information and communications technology, artificial intelligence, financial technology and agricultural technology. These areas have been identified as priority fields where Australia aims to boost talent availability through targeted mobility programmes.
Under the scheme, Indians cannot directly apply for the visa. Instead, they must first register for the ballot. Only those selected in the ballot receive an invitation to lodge a visa application, and applications without an invitation are not accepted. The two-step structure is meant to regulate demand, ensure transparency and manage the annual limit of 3,000 visas.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, the MATES programme serves as a temporary mobility route rather than a permanent migration channel. Participants receive permission to live and work in Australia for up to two years. The scheme aims to offer early-career professionals short work experience opportunities in sectors where both countries have committed to collaborative growth.
How the MATES ballot works
The ballot is the first mandatory stage of the application process. Eligible Indian nationals must submit a registration expressing interest in the scheme. Once the ballot closes, the department conducts a random selection. Individuals chosen through this process receive a formal invitation to apply for the Subclass 403 MATES stream visa. Those who are not selected cannot apply and may wait for the next ballot cycle, subject to programme availability.
This ballot system is similar to the approach used in other mobility pathways, such as working-holiday or youth-mobility schemes in different countries. It helps the government manage high interest while preventing system overload and long waiting times.
What the visa allows
Successful applicants can enter Australia, take up employment in their field of study and gain professional experience for up to two years. The visa also allows flexibility in work arrangements, depending on the employer and sector. Full details of permitted activities and obligations are outlined in the department’s How to Apply Guide.
Because the MATES stream sits under the broader Temporary Work (International Relations) visa framework, holders must comply with all related conditions, including maintaining valid health cover and adhering to Australian workplace laws.
Who can register for the ballot
The scheme targets recent graduates or early career professionals with academic backgrounds aligned to the specified fields. While the department has not outlined separate eligibility categories within the ballot information provided, applicants must meet general visa requirements, including identity checks, character assessments and health standards.
The Department of Home Affairs has published a dedicated factsheet offering details on eligible fields of study, skills expectations and obligations under the programme. The scheme is intended as a specialised exchange mechanism, focusing on skill development and temporary mobility rather than pathways to permanent residency.
Where applications can be submitted
The entire process takes place online through the Department of Home Affairs. Indian nationals can access ballot registration information, eligibility criteria, and application steps through the official MATES pages. Once selected, invited individuals lodge their visa applications digitally, completing required forms and documentation through the department’s systems.
The scheme has been updated across Australia’s immigration portals, with the last revision dated 14 October 2025. This reflects the programme’s integration into the country’s wider mobility and international relations framework.
The Department of Home Affairs has capped the annual intake at 3,000 visas, with applications determined through a pre-application ballot.
Who qualifies for the ballot-based process
The MATES stream is introduced for candidates with knowledge and skills in selected high-growth sectors, including renewable energy, mining, engineering, information and communications technology, artificial intelligence, financial technology and agricultural technology. These areas have been identified as priority fields where Australia aims to boost talent availability through targeted mobility programmes.
Under the scheme, Indians cannot directly apply for the visa. Instead, they must first register for the ballot. Only those selected in the ballot receive an invitation to lodge a visa application, and applications without an invitation are not accepted. The two-step structure is meant to regulate demand, ensure transparency and manage the annual limit of 3,000 visas.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, the MATES programme serves as a temporary mobility route rather than a permanent migration channel. Participants receive permission to live and work in Australia for up to two years. The scheme aims to offer early-career professionals short work experience opportunities in sectors where both countries have committed to collaborative growth.
How the MATES ballot works
The ballot is the first mandatory stage of the application process. Eligible Indian nationals must submit a registration expressing interest in the scheme. Once the ballot closes, the department conducts a random selection. Individuals chosen through this process receive a formal invitation to apply for the Subclass 403 MATES stream visa. Those who are not selected cannot apply and may wait for the next ballot cycle, subject to programme availability.
This ballot system is similar to the approach used in other mobility pathways, such as working-holiday or youth-mobility schemes in different countries. It helps the government manage high interest while preventing system overload and long waiting times.
What the visa allows
Successful applicants can enter Australia, take up employment in their field of study and gain professional experience for up to two years. The visa also allows flexibility in work arrangements, depending on the employer and sector. Full details of permitted activities and obligations are outlined in the department’s How to Apply Guide.
Because the MATES stream sits under the broader Temporary Work (International Relations) visa framework, holders must comply with all related conditions, including maintaining valid health cover and adhering to Australian workplace laws.
Who can register for the ballot
The scheme targets recent graduates or early career professionals with academic backgrounds aligned to the specified fields. While the department has not outlined separate eligibility categories within the ballot information provided, applicants must meet general visa requirements, including identity checks, character assessments and health standards.
The Department of Home Affairs has published a dedicated factsheet offering details on eligible fields of study, skills expectations and obligations under the programme. The scheme is intended as a specialised exchange mechanism, focusing on skill development and temporary mobility rather than pathways to permanent residency.
Where applications can be submitted
The entire process takes place online through the Department of Home Affairs. Indian nationals can access ballot registration information, eligibility criteria, and application steps through the official MATES pages. Once selected, invited individuals lodge their visa applications digitally, completing required forms and documentation through the department’s systems.
The scheme has been updated across Australia’s immigration portals, with the last revision dated 14 October 2025. This reflects the programme’s integration into the country’s wider mobility and international relations framework.
Next Story