Can an Indian graduate get an Australian work visa without a job offer? The Australia MATES visa – the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme, subclass 403 – is one of the few routes that says yes. Up to 3,000 places a year are filled by a random ballot, and the winners can live and work in Australia for up to 2 years. This guide explains who can register, what the ballot costs, the English scores you need and what to prepare before the next ballot opens.
Quick answer
| Visa | Temporary Work (International Relations) visa, subclass 403 – MATES stream |
| Who it is for | Indian graduates and early-career professionals |
| Places | Up to 3,000 primary applicants per program year |
| How you get in | Register in a pre-application ballot; only people randomly selected can apply |
| Stay | Up to 2 years |
| Cost | Ballot registration AUD 25; visa from AUD 470 |
| Family | Members of the family unit can come temporarily |
To register you must:
You can register from inside or outside Australia. If you are selected, you can only apply for the visa from outside Australia. Eligible family members, such as a spouse or partner, can register separately; if you are selected you are the main applicant and can include your family unit in your visa application.
If you are selected you must show your English level with a test taken in the 1 year before you lodge your visa application, achieved in a single sitting (except OET).
| Test | Minimum result |
|---|---|
| IELTS | Overall 6.0, with at least 5 in each component |
| PTE Academic | Overall 50, with at least 36 in each component |
| TOEFL iBT | Overall 64, with at least 4 in listening and reading and 14 in speaking and writing |
| OET | At least C in each component |
Book your test early so the result is fresh when the ballot results arrive. Our IELTS coaching and PTE coaching programs can get you to these scores.
| Program year | Registration | Selection |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 1 November 2025 to 14 December 2025 (closed) | 15 December 2025 to 30 June 2026 |
| 2026-27 | Not yet published on the official page (checked 6 Oct 2026) | Not yet published |
The ballot is held annually. If the pattern repeats, registration may open around November, but that is not confirmed – watch the official ballot page. If you miss a ballot and still meet the rules, you may be able to register in a future one.
Watch out
Selection is random. No consultant, agent or website can improve your chances in the ballot, and you cannot buy a place. Be careful with anyone who promises selection.
| Option | Who it suits | Employer needed? | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATES (subclass 403) | Indian graduates aged 18-30 from Top 100 NIRF institutions | Not in the published criteria | Up to 2 years |
| Work and Holiday (subclass 462) | Eligible Indian applicants selected through a ballot | No | See our guide |
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482) | Skilled workers with a job offer from an approved sponsor | Yes | Up to 4 years |
If MATES does not work out, look at the Australia work visa options, check your PR points or read how the immigration process works for IT professionals.
Selected applicants have a fixed deadline to apply, so gather documents before the ballot results. These are the items the visa criteria point to:
The published ballot and visa criteria do not list a job offer or employer sponsor. You must be randomly selected in the ballot and then meet the visa criteria.
Up to 3,000 Subclass 403 MATES stream visas per program year for primary applicants. Family members are not counted towards the 3,000.
You must be between 18 and 30 years old (inclusive) at the beginning of the ballot registration period.
Institutions listed in the Top 100 of the NIRF India Rankings Overall 2024 list. Affiliated institutions not named on the list do not qualify.
You can register in the ballot from inside or outside Australia, but if you are selected you can only apply for the visa from outside Australia.
Facts on this page were checked against the official sources listed at the end on 6 October 2026. Immigration rules, fees and thresholds change often, so confirm the current figure on the official site before you apply.
Want to know whether you qualify for MATES – or which Australian visa fits your profile better? Our Australia immigration consultants in Hyderabad will check your profile honestly. Book a free consultation or call +91 95055 15154.
