Australia has started accepting registrations for its new MATES visa, giving young Indian graduates a chance to live and work in the country for up to two years without the need for employer sponsorship.

This program is open to Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 who have completed degrees from top-ranked institutions. Registrations began on November 1, 2025, and will stay open until December 14, 2025.

Under this scheme, candidates can enter a random ballot draw, and only 3,000 primary applicants will be selected each year. Those chosen will then receive an invitation to apply for the visa. The registration fee for the ballot is AUD 25.

The MATES visa has already gained attention among young professionals who wish to gain work experience in Australia. The scheme allows participants to live and work for up to two years, and they can also bring eligible family members along. Family members are not counted in the annual selection limit.

Applicants do not need a job offer to enter the ballot. The goal is to give talented Indian graduates a chance to experience Australian work culture and gain international exposure in key industries.

To be eligible, candidates must have completed their Bachelor’s, Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s, or Doctoral degree on or after November 1, 2023, from an institution listed in the NIRF India Rankings Overall 2024 (Top 100). They must also apply from outside Australia and should not have previously entered the country under the Subclass 403 MATES stream visa.

The visa mainly targets graduates from fields such as renewable energy, mining, engineering, ICT, artificial intelligence, fintech, and agri-tech areas where Australia needs skilled talent.

The MATES program serves as a short-term work opportunity, helping Indian graduates gain valuable global experience before exploring permanent or long-term visa options in Australia.

Get in touch with Visabud to apply for your Australia MATES visa!