Australian Immigration Daily News

The Migration (Arrangements for Temporary Work (International Relations) (Class GD) visa applications) Amendment Instrument (LIN 24/070) 2024 makes key updates to the Migration Regulations related to the Subclass 403 visa. The amendments are part of Australia’s commitment to implementing the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES). This initiative introduces a new visa stream under the Subclass 403 category aimed at attracting early-career professionals to Australia.

Key changes include adjustments to application processes, including the introduction of a pre-application selection mechanism for the MATES visa stream. This process ensures that only selected participants receive a notice of selection, allowing them to apply within a specified timeframe.

Additionally, the instrument clarifies procedures for secondary applications, particularly for family members of primary applicants, and revises how applications in certain streams, such as the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) stream, are processed.

Consultations were conducted with various Australian and Indian government departments, reflecting a bilateral approach to enhancing skilled mobility. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that these changes will have a minor impact, as the MATES scheme is limited to 3,000 places annually.

This instrument supports Australia’s broader strategy to address skills shortages by streamlining visa processes for international professionals, while also adhering to the country’s immigration regulations.

Source: LIN24070.pdf and LIN24070-Explanatory-Statement.pdf