Starting July 1, Indian graduates in Australian tertiary institutions can apply for work without sponsorship for up to eight years. Work hours for international students increase to 48 hours per fortnight, and a two-year work visa extension is granted, several news reports cited. 

India and Australia recently entered into a migration and mobility partnership pact aimed at creating new avenues for students, academic researchers, and business professionals. As part of this agreement, a special program called the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) has been established. MATES will provide 3,000 annual openings for young professionals from India, granting them the opportunity to spend two years in Australia without the need for visa sponsorship.

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MATES is designed as a temporary visa program and targets graduates from recognized Indian universities with degrees in specialized fields of study. Eligible occupations for the MATES Visa include engineering, mining, financial technology, artificial intelligence, information and communication technology, agricultural technology, and renewable energy. To be eligible for the MATES visa program, candidates must be below the age of 31, have obtained their education from a recognized and verified university, and be in the early stages of their careers.

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Details regarding the fee and visa processing time for the MATES visa are yet to be announced. 

Australia had previously expressed its intentions to revamp its immigration system in order to expedite the entry of highly skilled workers into the country. The government aims to attract skilled migrants by streamlining the visa process for high-skilled professionals and implementing measures to retain international students.