Overview
MATES — the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme — is a stream of the Subclass 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) visa for young Indian graduates and early-career professionals. Places are limited and allocated by an annual ballot; there is no employer sponsor required to enter. Selected applicants can live and work in Australia for up to two years, which makes it a launch pad toward employer-sponsored or skilled visas.
MATES — the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme — is a stream of the Subclass 403 Temporary Work visa built for young Indian graduates and early-career professionals. Places are limited and allocated by an annual ballot, and — unlike the employer-sponsored 482 — you do not need a sponsor to enter. Selected applicants can live and work in Australia for up to two years.
Who MATES is for
Indian nationals aged 18 to 30 who have recently graduated from an eligible institution in a targeted field — renewable energy, mining, engineering, ICT, artificial intelligence, fintech or agtech — and who meet the English requirement. It is designed for talent at the start of their career, not for people who already have an employer lined up.
How the ballot works
You register during an annual window and pay a small fee; places are then drawn at random. If selected, you are invited to apply and lodge within a set period. The 2026-27 ballot dates had not been announced as at September 2026, so the smart move is to get your qualifications, English result and documents ready now so you can act the moment registration opens.
The real value: what comes after
MATES itself is temporary and does not lead directly to permanent residence — but two years of Australian work experience is a powerful springboard. Used well, it can set up an employer-sponsored 482 (and then PR via the 186) or a skilled visa. Treat the MATES years as stage one of a plan, not a standalone trip.
Fees and processing times shown above are sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and displayed with the date verified.
Who is eligible for the Subclass 403 visa?
- Be an Indian national aged 18 to 30 at the time of application
- Have recently graduated (within the eligibility window) from an eligible institution
- Have qualifications in a targeted field — such as renewable energy, mining, engineering, ICT, artificial intelligence, financial technology or agricultural technology
- Meet the English requirement
- Register for, and be selected in, the MATES ballot (you can generally only hold a MATES visa once)
How much does the Subclass 403 visa cost?
The application charge varies by stream for this subclass. The MATES stream involves a small ballot registration fee plus the Subclass 403 Visa Application Charge. Confirm current figures on the official pricing estimator. Checked against the official Home Affairs pricing table on 16 September 2026. See every Subclass 403 stream's charge and processing time, or compare every visa on our Australian visa fees table. Fees are indexed each year — see the official Visa Pricing Estimator for the current figure.
How long does the Subclass 403 visa take to process?
For the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) stream, around 75% of applications are finalised within 4 months, and 90% within 5 months.
| Stream | 75% finalised within | 90% finalised within |
|---|---|---|
| Government Agreement | 29 days | 45 days |
| Foreign Government Agency | 85 days | 4 months |
| Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) | 57 days | 78 days |
| Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme | 18 days | 30 days |
| Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) | 4 months | 5 months |
Official figures as at 29 September 2026. Source: Department of Home Affairs — Global visa processing times. Compare all visas on our processing times tracker. Times are a guide only — complete, decision-ready applications are generally faster.
How do you apply for the Subclass 403 visa?
- Register in the MATES ballot. Register during the annual ballot window and pay the small registration fee. Places are limited and allocated by random draw.
- Be selected and invited. If selected, you are invited to apply and lodge the Subclass 403 MATES application within the set period.
- Arrive and work. Enter Australia and live and work for up to two years — you do not need a sponsor to start.
- Build toward a longer-term visa. Use the two years to gain experience and, where eligible, move toward an employer-sponsored 482 or a skilled visa.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the MATES scheme?
MATES is for Indian nationals aged 18 to 30 who have recently graduated from an eligible institution in a targeted field such as renewable energy, mining, engineering, ICT, AI, fintech or agtech, and who meet the English requirement. Exact age, graduation-recency and institution rules are set by the program, so check the current criteria before registering.
How does the MATES ballot work?
Places are limited and allocated by a random ballot. You register during an annual window and pay a small fee; if your registration is selected you are invited to apply. The 2026-27 ballot dates had not been announced as at September 2026 — a good reason to have your documents ready in advance.
Do I need an employer to sponsor me?
No. Unlike the employer-sponsored 482, MATES does not require a sponsor to enter Australia. You can arrive and look for work, which is what makes it attractive to early-career professionals.
Can MATES lead to permanent residence?
Not directly, but it is a strong stepping stone. The two years of Australian work experience can help you qualify for an employer-sponsored 482 (and then permanent residence via the 186) or a skilled visa. Planning that next step early is the difference between a two-year visit and a migration pathway.
Can I bring my family on a MATES visa?
Family arrangements for the MATES stream are limited and set by the program. Confirm the current rules before you make plans, and factor it into whether MATES or another visa is the right first move for you.
Related visas
- Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482)
- Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189)
- Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485)
- Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186)
- Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (Subclass 400)
- Training visa (Subclass 407)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494)
- Temporary Activity visa (Subclass 408)
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- Complete guide to Australian immigration in 2026
- Visa Refused? Your Appeal Options and the ART Review