A new pilot program known as MATES will make it easier for young professionals and graduates from India to work in Australia.
It’s no secret Australia is experiencing a talent shortage, which is affecting areas such as technology, research and engineering, as well as more hands-on industries like aged care and construction.
To help fill some of the gaps, there are several initiatives and programs in place to streamline the migration process and encourage skilled workers from around the world to consider spending time in Australia.
One of these initiatives is the new Mobility and Migration initiative between Australia and India. Known as MATES, this is the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme.
MATES explained
MATES is a framework supporting mobility and migration between Australia and India. It gives Indian university graduates and early career professionals who want to work in Australia access to a temporary visa. The goal is to facilitate mutually beneficial skills and knowledge transfer between the two countries.
The scheme will open up opportunities for Indian nationals who are:
- Aged 30 or younger (inclusive) at the time of application
- Proficient in English
- Within two years of graduating from an eligible educational institution
- Qualified in:
- Renewable energy
- Mining
- Engineering
- ICT
- Artificial Intelligence
- Financial technology, or
- Agricultural technology.
The pilot program will include 3,000 applicants who will be able to live and work in Australia for up to two years. These participants can apply to bring their spouse and children, and have the potential to extend their stay by applying for temporary or permanent residence (with some criteria required).
Whilst there is no strict requirement for visa holders to work in their nominated field of study, MATES is designed to support young professionals to expand their skills and networks, particularly in the sectors listed above.
The good news for employers is there will be no requirement for sponsorship by an Australian employer to be eligible to apply for a visa as part of this initiative.
MATES aims to encourage mutually beneficial skills and knowledge transfer between Australia and India. You can read more about the program here. It is currently still under development, with more specific details to be announced.
Strengthening ties between Australia and India
As reported recently, the Indian community in Australia is the fastest-growing migrant group in Australia and is now five times larger than it was 20 years ago. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, just under 60,000 people arrived in Australia from India in 2021-22. Close to 784,000 Australians have Indian ancestry — 3.1% of the total population.
During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2023 visit to Australia, Anthony Albanese described Australia and India as, “Closer than ever before.” As part of the visit, Prime Minister Albanese announced a new Centre for Australia-India Relations for Parramatta in Sydney’s west, and said, “We want to see more connections, more Australian and Indian students living and studying in each other’s countries and bringing those experiences home.”
Foundations to strengthen the flow of skilled migrants are also being laid through education. This year, Melbourne’s Deakin University became the first international university in the world to open a teaching campus in India. To begin with, the campus will deliver cybersecurity and business analytics courses to 100 students a year.
Tap into a world of talent
Improving international relationships and facilitating smoother pathways will make it possible for Australian companies struggling to find talent to engage with employees from overseas, without the pressure of arranging a sponsored position. By working with The Migration Agency, they can stay informed about and take advantage of new initiatives like the MATES program.
