Effective July 1, 2023, Indian graduates from Australian universities will have the opportunity to apply for an extended work period in Australia, lasting up to eight years.
This development comes as a result of a recent bilateral agreement signed between India and Australia.
As per media reports, a notable aspect of this agreement is the introduction of the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-Professionals Scheme (MATES).
Under this program, 3,000 annual slots will be made available for young professionals from India, allowing them to stay in the country for two years without requiring a visa sponsor.
In a reciprocal gesture, Australians intending to pursue research in India can now apply for the S-5 visa,
granting them a stay of up to three years or for the duration of their research project.
The MATES visa serves as a temporary visa program catering to recent graduates from recognized and accredited Indian universities,
specializing in various fields. Specific areas of eligibility for the MATES visa include engineering, mining,
financial technology, artificial intelligence, information and communication technology, agricultural technology, and renewable energy.
However, details regarding the visa fee and processing time have yet to be announced.
To qualify for the MATES visa, applicants must be under the age of 31, hold a graduate degree from a recognized university,
have recently completed their studies, and be at an early stage of their professional career.
Starting from July 1, 2023, international higher education graduates with qualifying qualifications will be granted an additional two years of work rights after completing their studies.
This extension will supplement the existing one to two years of work rights already available to eligible students studying and working in regional areas.
During the pandemic, Australia relaxed work restrictions for student visa holders, eliminating them entirely in January 2022.
This allowed primary and secondary student visa holders to work up to 40 hours per fortnight, addressing workforce shortages.
However, starting from July 1, 2023, work restrictions will be reinstated for all student visa holders (excluding the aged care sector) and will be capped at a slightly increased limit of 48 hours per fortnight.
This adjustment aims to ensure that student visa holders can prioritize their education while still having some flexibility in employment opportunities.
