Australia’s much-anticipated Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-career Professionals (MATES) formally opened its 2025-26 ballot for Indian applicants on 3 November 2025. The temporary 403 visa stream—separate from the existing subclass 462 Work & Holiday scheme—offers up to 3,000 places for Indian graduates aged 18-35 with a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in STEM, ICT or financial services obtained within the past two years.
Successful candidates may live and work in Australia for up to two years with unrestricted employment rights and the option to bring dependants. Unlike the points-tested skilled-migration programme, selection is entirely randomised via an online ballot, echoing New Zealand’s Working Holiday system and ensuring ‘equal opportunity regardless of income or connections’, according to Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil.
![Australia Opens MATES 403 Visa Ballot, Creating New Pathway for Young Indian Professionals]()
The scheme is a flagship deliverable under the Australia-India Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA) signed in 2023. For Indian IT services giants, it provides a low-administration route to embed junior engineers with Australian clients while they clock overseas experience. Universities also see MATES as a retention tool: graduates who studied in India but interned with Australian firms can transition smoothly after campus placements.
Ballot registrations will close on 14 December 2025; shortlisted entrants must lodge full visa applications within 90 days, present health insurance, and show AUD 5,000 in maintenance funds. Immigration lawyers advise employers to prepare evidence of genuine positions early to avoid processing delays once invitations roll out.
Although the 3,000-place cap is modest relative to demand, Canberra has signalled it could expand quotas in 2026 if integrity risks remain low and bilateral labour-market data prove positive.
Successful candidates may live and work in Australia for up to two years with unrestricted employment rights and the option to bring dependants. Unlike the points-tested skilled-migration programme, selection is entirely randomised via an online ballot, echoing New Zealand’s Working Holiday system and ensuring ‘equal opportunity regardless of income or connections’, according to Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil.
The scheme is a flagship deliverable under the Australia-India Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA) signed in 2023. For Indian IT services giants, it provides a low-administration route to embed junior engineers with Australian clients while they clock overseas experience. Universities also see MATES as a retention tool: graduates who studied in India but interned with Australian firms can transition smoothly after campus placements.
Ballot registrations will close on 14 December 2025; shortlisted entrants must lodge full visa applications within 90 days, present health insurance, and show AUD 5,000 in maintenance funds. Immigration lawyers advise employers to prepare evidence of genuine positions early to avoid processing delays once invitations roll out.
Although the 3,000-place cap is modest relative to demand, Canberra has signalled it could expand quotas in 2026 if integrity risks remain low and bilateral labour-market data prove positive.
