# MATES visa for Indian graduates (subclass 403) for applicants from India

MATES, the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme, is a stream of the subclass 403 for Indian graduates of top-100 NIRF institutions. Up to 3,000 primary applicants a year are selected by ballot to work in Australia for two years without an employer sponsor.

Source: https://australiavisahub.com/visas/mates-visa-403 · Updated 2026-10-08 · Australia Visa Hub, a brand of Pro Lifeset Overseas Private Limited, Patiala, India. WhatsApp +91 91155 80911, Mon to Sat, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM IST.

## For Indian applicants
This visa exists only for Indians. It is the fastest legal route for a recent graduate in engineering, ICT, AI, fintech, agritech, renewable energy or mining to work in Australia, and it does not need a job offer. Registration is online during the ballot window, and selection is random among eligible registrations.

## Eligibility
- Indian passport holder aged 30 or under at the time of application
- Graduated within the required window from an institution on the NIRF top-100 overall list of the specified year
- Qualification in an eligible field: renewable energy, mining, engineering, ICT, artificial intelligence, financial technology or agricultural technology
- English at the required level (IELTS 6 overall with no band below 5, or equivalent)
- Selected in the ballot, then apply within the time allowed

## Documents
- Passport
- Degree certificate and transcript from the eligible institution
- English test report
- Ballot selection notice
- Health and character documents

## Government fee (2026-27)
- MATES visa (subclass 403), MATES stream (Indian passport holders, Primary applicant: A$470 (about ₹31,645 at 67.33 INR/AUD on 2026-10-07), effective 2026-07-01

## Common refusal reasons
- Institution not on the specified NIRF list or graduation outside the window
- Field of study not eligible
- English below the threshold

## FAQ
**When is the MATES ballot?**
The 2025-26 ballot ran from 1 November to 14 December 2025. We publish the 2026-27 dates as soon as the Australian High Commission announces them, and you can ask us for a WhatsApp reminder.

**Can my spouse come?**
Yes. Partners and dependent children can be included, and partners have work rights.

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