Context:
The Australian Federal Budget Document, released recently, announced the start date for the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) for Indian Nationals.
Relevance:
GS II: International Relations
About MATES Migration Scheme:
Introduction:
- On May 23, 2023, Australia and India established a Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA) to facilitate two-way migration and mobility while addressing issues related to illegal migration.
- MATES Scheme Overview:
- The Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-Professionals Scheme (MATES) is a component of the MMPA aimed at fostering temporary mobility for Indian university graduates and early career professionals.
- MATES facilitates skills and knowledge transfer between Australia and India for mutual benefit.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Indian nationals aged 30 years or younger at the time of application, proficient in English, and holding a Bachelor’s degree or higher in specified fields of study from an eligible educational institution within the past two years are eligible.
- Previous participation in MATES is not allowed.
Sponsorship Requirement:
- Unlike traditional visa schemes, MATES does not necessitate sponsorship by an Australian employer for visa eligibility.
Permitted Activities:
- MATES participants can reside and work in Australia for up to two years.
- While there’s no strict requirement to work in their field of study, the scheme encourages participants to expand their skills and networks, particularly within specified sectors.
Program Capacity:
- Initially, MATES will offer 3,000 places annually for primary applicants.
- Participants can apply to bring dependents (spouses and dependent children) who will have work rights in Australia and will not be counted towards the annual cap.
-Source: Times of India
