Australian Professionals Visa Without Employer Sponsorship

Australian Professionals Visa Without Employer Sponsorship

Edited By Prabhjyot Kaur | Updated on Jan 23, 2025 03:35 PM IST

Australia, known for its diverse cultural experience and excellent education, has always been a famous destination for professionals all across the globe seeking better career opportunities. However, a lot of people believe that it is only possible to work after studying in Australia when you have employer sponsorship, but this is not the case. If you are a skilled professional, then there are so many other options to move to Australia without getting a sponsorship from an employer. These include the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491), Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858), and Business Innovation and Investment Visa (Subclass 188 & 888).

This Story also Contains
  1. What does MATES Australia Work Permit Offer?
  2. Who can apply for the MATES Visa Program?
  3. MATES Visa Australia Requirements
  4. Mates Visa of Australia VS Other Visa Options
  5. MATES Working Visa Australia Cost
  6. How to Apply for PR from Mates Australia Visa?
Australian Professionals Visa Without Employer Sponsorship
Australian Professionals Visa Without Employer Sponsorship

Even if you are an Indian graduate or an early professional, the Australian government has a lot to offer. You can make use of a special scheme known as the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early Professionals Scheme (MATES). The MATES visa program is a golden opportunity exclusively for encouraging the exchange of mutually beneficial skills and knowledge transfer between Australia and India. In this article, we will explore this Australian professionals visa without employer sponsorship.

What does MATES Australia Work Permit Offer?

Following are the things that the MATES visa program offers to graduates from Indian institutions and early professionals:

  • 2-years residency and work opportunity in Australia

  • 12 months to make the first entry in Australia

  • Multiple entries to Australia within the two-year period

  • No requirement for employer sponsorship

  • MATES participants may extend their stay by applying for temporary visa or permanent residency in Australia

  • Can bring dependents (spouse and children) to Australia and spouse will get work rights in Australia

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Who can apply for the MATES Visa Program?

Indian nationals who wish to apply for the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early Professionals Scheme (MATES) must:

  1. Be 30 years of age or below at the time of applying

  2. Be applying for the first time

  3. Hold a bachelor’s degree in any of these disciplines: renewable energy, mining, engineering, information communication technology, artificial intelligence, financial technology, or agricultural technology.

  4. Be proficient in the English language and secure desired scores in tests like TOEFL (at least 64), IELTS (at least an overall band score of 6 with not less than 5 in each of the four components), and PTE (at least 50).

  5. Have completed their graduation within 2 years at the time of applying from a reputed educational institution.

MATES Visa Australia Requirements

Following are the documents that are mandatory when applying for a MATES visa:

  • Identity documents: A valid passport, PAN card, and national ID cards.

  • Dependant documents: proof of relationship with the applicant, character documents, and consent form for minors.

  • Educational documents: Academic transcripts, resumes, and qualification certificates.

  • Financial documents: Evidence of employment offers or bank statements showing sufficient funds (around 5000 AUD).

  • English proficiency: proof of English test results

Mates Visa of Australia VS Other Visa Options

Features

MATES work visa Australia

Other Visas in Australia

Eligibility

Young Indian university graduates and early professionals

Skilled workers in specific occupations

Sponsorship

No sponsorship required

Requires sponsorship from an Australian employer

English requirement

Minimum IELTS score of 6

Varies as per the requirements of different visas

Visa Duration

Up to 2 years

2-4 years, depending on the occupation

Path to PR

Indirect (through skilled migration)

Direct pathway to permanent residency

Flexibility

More flexible, allows for job-hopping

Less flexible, tied to a specific employer/region

MATES Working Visa Australia Cost

To apply for an Australian work permit visa, you will be required to pay two primary fees, which are as follows:

Pre-application cost

Also known as the ballot registration fee, the pre-application cost is approximately AUD 25.

Visa application cost

The visa application cost is approximately AUD 365. In addition to the application fee, if you are bringing dependents with you, then you will need to pay additional charges. If the dependent is below the age of 18 years, then the fee is AUD 95, while it is AUD 365 for the dependent above the age of 18.

How to Apply for PR from Mates Australia Visa?

With the MATES temporary visa, Indian university graduates and early professionals are allowed to study and work in Australia up to two years. However, transitioning from MATES to a permanent residency (PR) in Australia is only possible when applicants take further steps:

Extension of stay

MATES visa holders are allowed to extend their stay by again applying for a temporary visa or a PR. For this, the applicants must meet all the requirements for the new visa type.

Skilled Migration Pathway

Once a MATES visa holder completes the program, they can then apply for a Skilled Migration visa (subclass 189 or 190) based on their work experience. Applicants might be required to clear a skill assessment or other visa-specific requirements.

Employer sponsorship

There are a few cases wherein the MATES visa holders get a job offer from an Australian employer. In that case, they become eligible for employer-sponsored visas that can give them PR in the future too.

Note: MATES visa holders are not eligible to apply for reapplying to the program; however, their work experience can help them strengthen their PR application through other skilled migration routes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you apply for a work visa without sponsorship in Australia?

Yes, it is possible to apply for a work visa without sponsorship in Australia. The MATES visa program is one of those types of visas that do not require sponsorship from employers. It is exclusively for Indian university graduates and early professionals.

2. Can an individual sponsor a work visa in Australia?

It is possible for you to sponsor a skilled worker to come to Australia if you can prove that you are not able to find an Australian citizen or a permanent resident with the skills that are needed for the job.

3. Will MATES visa holders be able to extend their stay?

Yes, if MATES visa holders can extend their stay by transitioning to another temporary visa or permanent residency. However, to do this, the applicant must fulfill the eligibility requirements needed for the specific visa they are applying for.

4. How long can visa holders stay in Australia?

The length of the stay of visa holders in Australia depends on the visa that they have and their nationality.

5. Will MATES participants be able to bring their family to Australia?

Yes, MATES participants can bring their family (dependents) to Australia. However, they will need to pay an additional visa fee for each of the dependents who come with them to Australia. 

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Have a question related to ?

Yes, after LLB from India, you may apply for the 491 Subclass Visa if your occupation is on the Skilled Occupation List and you meet other eligibility criteria like skills assessment, points test, and regional nomination.

Hello,

No, NIOS Chemistry cannot be used to meet DASA eligibility for IIITH if you are studying the NSW HSC in Australia.

As per DASA guidelines, all three required subjects (Maths, Physics, and one among Chemistry/Bio/Biotech/CS) must be part of the same qualifying exam, which should be completed in a school located outside India. NIOS is considered an Indian board, so it does not meet the “outside India” condition.

So, if Chemistry is not part of your NSW HSC, then using NIOS Chemistry will not make you eligible under DASA for IIITH.

Hope it helps !

To practice medicine in India without completing NEET UG, you'll need to leverage your medical degree from Belarus and upcoming postgraduate degree from the UK. Since the UK is one of the countries exempt from the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE), you might be eligible to practice in India without taking the exam.


Key Requirements:


- Registration in the UK: You'll need to register with the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK, which involves verifying your medical degree and completing any necessary exams, such as the PLAB test.

- Specialist Registration: After completing your postgraduate degree in the UK, you'll need to register as a specialist doctor with the GMC. This registration might exempt you from the FMGE requirement in India.¹ ²

- Indian Registration: With your UK specialist registration, you can apply for registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) in India. This might allow you to practice medicine in India without taking the FMGE exam.³


Steps to Consider:


1. Verify your medical degree: Get your medical degree from Belarus verified by the GMC in the UK.

2. Complete your postgraduate degree: Finish your postgraduate degree in the UK and register as a specialist doctor with the GMC.

3. Apply for Indian registration: Submit your application for registration with the NMC in India, providing your UK specialist registration and other required documents.

4. Check with Indian authorities Confirm with the NMC and other relevant authorities in India that you're eligible to practice medicine without taking the FMGE exam.


It's essential to consult with the GMC, NMC, and other relevant authorities to ensure you meet all the requirements. Additionally, consider seeking guidance from a medical professional or a consultant familiar with the registration process for international medical graduates.

Hi rachna

Pursuing medical studies or MBBS in the USA or Australia can be a bit complex, but I'll break down the steps for you:


USA:

1. *Undergraduate degree*: Complete a bachelor's degree in a science-related field (e.g., biology, chemistry, or physics) from an accredited US institution.

2. *MCAT*: Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in areas like biology, chemistry, physics, and critical thinking.

3. *Medical school*: Apply to medical schools in the US that are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). Some popular medical schools include Harvard, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins.

4. *Clinical rotations*: Complete clinical rotations in various specialties during your final two years of medical school.

5. *Residency*: Apply for a residency program in your chosen specialty after graduating from medical school.

6. *Licensure*: Obtain a medical license by passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) series.


Australia:

1. *Undergraduate degree*: Complete a bachelor's degree in a science-related field (e.g., medicine, health sciences, or biomedical sciences) from an Australian institution.

2. *GAMSAT*: Take the Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admissions Test (GAMSAT) to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in areas like biology, chemistry, physics, and critical thinking.

3. *Medical school*: Apply to medical schools in Australia that are accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC). Some popular medical schools include the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, and Monash University.

4. *Clinical placements*: Complete clinical placements in various specialties during your final two years of medical school.

5. *Internship*: Complete a one-year internship after graduating from medical school.

6. *Residency*: Apply for a residency program in your chosen specialty after completing your internship.

7. *Registration*: Register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to practice as a medical practitioner.


Additional Requirements:

1. *English language proficiency*: Demonstrate English language proficiency by taking exams like TOEFL or IELTS.

2. *Visa requirements*: Obtain a student visa for the US or Australia, depending on your country of origin.

3. *Financial support*: Demonstrate sufficient financial support to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs.


Challenges:

1. *Competition*: Admission to medical schools in the US and Australia is highly competitive.

2. *High tuition fees*: Tuition fees for medical schools in the US and Australia can be very high.

3. *Different accreditation systems*: Medical schools in the US and Australia have different accreditation systems, which can affect the recognition of your degree in other countries.


I hope this helps! If you have more specific questions or concerns, feel free to ask.

Thanks

To get Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia, it's not required to pursue a master's degree on a student visa. You can apply for PR through different visa pathways like the Skilled Independent visa or Skilled Nominated visa, which are based on points. These visas assess factors like your age, education, work experience, and English proficiency.

However, studying in Australia can still help your PR chances. After completing a master's degree, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa, allowing you to work in Australia temporarily. This work experience can boost your points for a PR application.

It's important to know that recent changes in Australian immigration policies have led to an increase in student visa fees and stricter rules. From July 2024, the student visa fee was raised to A$1,600, and stricter measures are in place to prevent students from switching visas frequently.

In short, while studying in Australia can improve your PR prospects, it’s not the only way to apply for PR. You can still apply for PR through the points-based visa system without studying there. However, recent policy changes have increased fees and added regulations, so it’s a good idea to stay updated and consult with a migration expert to choose the best option for you.

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