Australia Opens MATES Ballot for Indian Graduates

Australia has opened registrations for the MATES program, a new pathway that allows eligible Indian nationals to live and work in the country for up to two years. The initiative is part of the Australia–India Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement, created to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and promote professional exchange.

About the MATES Program

MATES operates under the Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403). It offers skilled Indian graduates and early-career professionals an opportunity to gain international work experience in Australia without needing employer sponsorship.

Those who are selected can:

• live and work in Australia for as long as two years
• bring eligible family members with them (family members are not counted in the annual program limit)
• build professional experience in important and fast-growing industries

Each year, a maximum of 3,000 main applicants are chosen through a ballot system.

Ballot Registration Now Open

Before applying for the visa, interested candidates must register for the ballot. The ballot for the 2025–26 program year opens on 1 November, 2025 and will remain open until 14 December 2025.

Applicants who are selected will receive a notification from the Department and will then be invited to submit their visa application. The ballot registration fee has been set at AUD 25.

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