Australian Immigration Daily News

The "Migration Visa Pre-Application Process Charge Amendment - Mobility Arrangements for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) Regulations 2024" introduces a new pre-application process fee for skilled visa applicants under the MATES scheme. This amendment aims to streamline the assessment of visa applicants by implementing a preliminary evaluation process before formal applications are lodged.

The pre-application charge is designed to reduce administrative burdens and expedite processing times by ensuring that only eligible and qualified candidates proceed to the full application stage. The objective is to enhance efficiency in assessing skilled migrants, ensuring that Australia continues to attract talented professionals who meet critical skills needs. The regulation aligns with the government's broader strategy to optimise Australia's migration intake and address skills shortages in key industries.

Source: Migration-Visa-Pre-Application-Process-Charge-Amendment-Mobility-Arrangements-for-MATES-Regs-2024.pdf

and

Migration-Visa-Pre-Application-Process-Charge-Amendment-Mobility-Arrangements-for-MATES-Regs-2024-Explanatory-Statement.pdf