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.
Visa file / Skilled and work visas
MATES visa (India) 403
Up to 2 years of work for recent Indian graduates in eligible fields, by ballot.
In forceBallot
File: 403
Main chargeA$470
Information checked22 October 2026
Personal adviceRegistered agent only
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.
Published 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 you apply from
Main applicant outside Australia.
From first enquiry to grant and after.
The usual steps, and where a registered migration agent can help at each one. Immi Worldwide gives general information and settlement support, never advice about your visa.
- 01
Pre-ballot check
Institution, field and graduation date.
Where a registered migration agent can helpChecks eligibility before you register.
- 02
Ballot
Register when the ballot opens. Selection is random.
Where a registered migration agent can helpExplains the timing.
- 03
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
Where a registered migration agent can helpSets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
- 04
Apply within 30 days
Lodge with evidence and pay the charge.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPrepares the application within the window.
- 05
Work in Australia
Up to 2 years of work in any field. The visa cannot be extended or repeated.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPlans later options such as employer sponsorship.
Charges and processing times.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | A$470 |
| Family member 18 or over | A$470 |
| Family member under 18 | A$120 |
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on a figure.
| Stream | 50% decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| MATES | 4 months | 5 months |
Home Affairs Global visa processing times. Read 22 October 2026. Times change monthly and are not a promise. Global visa processing times.
Common refusal reasons
- 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. They are not Departmental statistics.
Document checklist
Application
A general list. The Department's own document checklist for your application is the one that counts. Ticks stay on this page only.
What changed, and what people ask.
Sources
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your circumstances.
Where this becomes advice
How any of these rules applies to a particular person, which visa to choose, and any application are immigration assistance, given only by a registered migration agent.
Immi Worldwide does not give immigration assistance. For advice about your own situation, Immi Worldwide can refer you to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130, of The Immigration Worldwide Pty Ltd, or you can choose any registered migration agent.
Ask for a referral to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130 Ask for a call back about a referral
The referral form opens with the box to pass your enquiry to the registered agent already ticked. Immi Worldwide does not charge for a referral.