Skilled · Subclass 403
MATES visa (India)
Up to 2 years of work for recent Indian graduates in eligible fields, by ballot.
New from 26 October 2026: biometrics for applications made in India. What it means for you →
Who it is for
Indian graduates aged 18 to 30 in renewable energy, mining, engineering, information and communication technology, artificial intelligence, financial technology or agricultural technology, from an eligible institution.
Key eligibility
- Selected in the MATES ballot (registration fee A$25); apply within 30 days of selection.
- Valid Indian passport; aged 18 to 30 at the start of registration; outside Australia; no previous MATES visa.
- Graduated within 2 years before registration, from an institution in the top 100 of India's NIRF overall rankings 2024, in an eligible field.
- IELTS overall 6.0 with at least 5 in each component, or equivalent, within 1 year.
- Funds or a job offer, health insurance, genuine temporary stay, health and character.
- No sponsor or job offer is required.
Where to apply, and bridging visas
Main applicant outside Australia.
Your journey, step by step
Pre-ballot check
Institution, field and graduation date.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent checks eligibility before you register.
Ballot
Register when the ballot opens. Selection is random.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent explains the timing.
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent sets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
Apply within 30 days
Lodge with evidence and pay the charge. If you apply in India, the Department may ask you to give biometrics at a VFS Global centre after you lodge; book an appointment quickly using the instructions in the request letter.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent prepares the application within the window.
Work in Australia
Up to 2 years of work in any field. The visa cannot be extended or repeated.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent plans later options such as employer sponsorship.
The Department of Home Affairs makes every decision. No one can promise a grant, an invitation or a faster decision.
Government charges from 1 July 2026
| Applicant or item | Charge |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | A$470 |
| Family member 18 or over | A$470 |
| Family member under 18 | A$120 |
Health checks, police certificates, translations, skills assessments and English tests are extra and paid to the provider. Our professional fee is separate and quoted in writing. Estimate total charges for your family.
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026, read 22 October 2026. Confirm in the Visa Pricing Estimator before you pay.
Processing times
Source: Home Affairs Global visa processing times. Read 22 October 2026. Check the current Home Affairs guide. A guide only; times change monthly and are not a promise.
Common refusal risks
- Institution or field not eligible.
- Graduation outside the window.
- English test not valid.
- Application after the 30-day deadline.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience, not Department statistics.
Document checklist
Tick items as you collect them. Ticks are saved in this browser only and are not sent to us. This is a general list; the Department may ask for more.
0 of 0 collected
The Immigration Worldwide. Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130. General information, checked 22 October 2026.
Recent changes
From 26 October 2026, if you apply for this visa in India, the Department may ask you to give biometrics (fingerprints and a facial image). This applies to new applications lodged from that date. The Department sends a request letter with instructions. Most people then book an appointment at a VFS Global Australian Biometrics Collection Centre; some eligible people can use the Australian Immi App instead.
Up to 3,000 places each program year. The 2026-27 ballot dates were not yet published on 22 October 2026; check the Home Affairs page.
Sources and checks
- Home Affairs: MATES (subclass 403)
- Home Affairs: Biometrics
- Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your situation. Australian advice is given by Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130.