8 Years Without Visa Sponsorship in Australia for Tertiary Courses Students

There's a piece of great news for international applicants, they can get an eight-year visa without sponsorship if pursuing a course from a tertiary institution in Australia. This is coming into force from July 1, 2023, onwards. This news has come in after the bilateral agreement between India and Australia where it has been agreed upon the opening of 3,000 spots has been agreed upon in the Mobility Arrangement for Talented-Early Professionals (MATES).  

Thus, those students who have pursued a course in the following seven areas will be eligible for this 8-year-long visa without sponsorship: 

• Engineering 
• Mining 
• Information Technology 
• Communication Technology 
• Financial Technology 
• Artificial Intelligence 
• Renewable Energy 

For now, only these seven areas of study have been proposed in the MATES program and changes may or may not be introduced in due time. New changes can only be expected after July 2023. Check out: Australia Post Study Work Permit

This will in turn prove beneficial for Indian students who wish to fast-track their careers and begin their professional journey easily and within time. Also, the visa will be granted faster in comparison to other visas in Australia, plus it is a major step which helps Australia retain international students after they graduate from Australian universities.  

Apart from the existing 48 hours per fortnight that will kick in also from July 1, 2023, for part-timers, this is another news that will help Indian students with their professional careers. Check: Australia Increases Working Hours to 48 Hours from Jul 1, 2023. Plus, the additional 2 years work visa extension which is already in force will further help Indian students in Australia with this new MATES program.  

Overall, there are limited vacancies that will open initially, it is possible that this number increases based on the response Australia gets from its Indian counterpart. For this, it is very important that Indian students stay back in Australia and work or take up the required set of skills and upskill to fit into the scenario.