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Context:

Australia launched a new program called "MATES" that allows talented young people from India to work in Australia for two years.

About MATES Scheme

Australia has launched a new scheme called MATES (Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme) to allow young Indian professionals and university graduates to work in Australia.

It was established under the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA) signed in May 2023 between Australia and India to encourage two-way migration and mobility.

There is no need for sponsorship from an Australian employer to apply for the MATES visa.

Who is eligible to apply for the MATES visa?

• MATES is open to Indian nationals who are aged 30 or younger at the time of application.
• Have not previously participated in MATES.
• Have fluent English language skills.
• Have graduated within two years from an eligible educational institution at the time of application.
• Hold a qualification (Bachelor's degree or higher) in one of the following: renewable energy, mining, engineering, Information Communications Technology (ICT), artificial intelligence (AI), financial technology (FinTech) and agricultural technology (AgriTech).

Graduates from India's top 100 universities according to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024 are eligible. 

The Ministry of Education (MoE) adopted NIRF in 2015 to assess and rank higher education institutions in the country.

What are the benefits of the MATES scheme?

The MATES scheme allows participants to stay and work in Australia for up to two years. While there is no strict requirement to work in the nominated field, it allows young professionals to broaden their skills and networks, especially in high-demand industries. 

It allows participants to bring dependents (spouses and children) who have work rights in Australia.

MATES visa holders have 12 months to make their first entry into Australia and can stay for up to 24 months from that date. The visa allows multiple entries.

MATES participants may apply for an extension by applying for another visa that allows for temporary or permanent residence, as long as they meet all of the new visa's eligibility requirements.

How will the MATES visa be granted?

The MATES visa will be granted using a ballot system in which applicants are chosen at random. The ballot application fee is AUD25. Shortlisted candidates will then go through additional formalities.

The MATES scheme will begin as a pilot program, with 3,000 primary applicant places available each year.

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Source: 

Indian Express

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Consider the following statements in the context of the Australian Government MATES Scheme: 1. It allows talented young people from India to work in Australia for 5 years. 2. Graduates from the top 10 universities of India will be eligible for this scheme. Which of the above statements is/are correct? A) 1 only B) 2 only C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: D Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: Australia has introduced a new scheme that allows talented young Indians to work in the country for a period of time. It allows Indian university graduates and early career professionals to work in Australia for two years. Statement 2 is incorrect: Graduates from India's top 100 universities as ranked by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2024 will be eligible for this scheme.