Skilled · Subclass 403
MATES visa (India)
Up to 2 years of work for recent Indian graduates in eligible fields, by ballot.
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: checks eligibility before you register.
Ballot
Register when the ballot opens. Selection is random.
How a registered migration agent helps: 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: 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.
How a registered migration agent helps: 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: 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 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
Up to 3,000 places each program year. The 2026-27 ballot dates were not yet published when checked; check the Home Affairs page.
Sources and checks
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.
Talk it through. The first 15 minutes are free and general. Personal advice starts only after a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.