{"id":"F2024L01428","name":"Migration (Specification of Study and English Language Requirements (Subclass 403 (MATES Stream) Visa) (LIN 24/072) Instrument 2024","slug":"migration-specification-of-study-and-english-language-requirements-subclass-403-mates-stream-visa-li","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":442633,"registerId":"F2024L01428-fast-fetch-1775957594373","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Migration (Specification of Study and English Language Requirements (Subclass 403 (MATES Stream) Visa) (LIN 24/072) Instrument 2024","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\n![Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia](image.001.jpeg)\n\n \n\nLIN 24/072\n\n \n\nMigration (Specification of Study and English Language Requirements (Subclass 403 (MATES Stream) Visa) (LIN 24/072) Instrument 2024\n\nI, Tony Burke, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, make the following instrument.\n\nDated  8 November 2024\n\nTony Burke\n\nMinister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nContents\n\n1  Name\n\n2  Commencement\n\n3  Authority\n\n4  Definitions\n\n5  Schedules\n\n6  Specified foreign education institutions\n\n7  Specified qualifications\n\n8  Specified related industries\n\n9  Specified English language tests\n\n10  Specified test scores to be achieved\n\n11  Specified period and requirement\n\nSchedule 1—Foreign Education Institutions\n\nSchedule 2—Qualifications\n\nSchedule 3—Required English language test scores\n\n1  Name\n\n  This instrument is the Migration (Specification of Study and English Language Requirements (Subclass 403 (MATES Stream) Visa) (LIN 24/072) Instrument 2024.\n\n2  Commencement\n\n  This instrument commences at the same time as the Migration Amendment (Mobility Arrangements for Talented Early-professionals Scheme) Regulations 2024.\n\n3  Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under the following provisions of the Migration Regulations 1994:\n\n (a) item 4(a) of the table in paragraph 1234(3F)(c) of Schedule 1;\n\n (b) paragraphs 403.261(1)(a) and (b) of Schedule 2;\n\n (c) subclause 403.261(2) of Schedule 2;\n\n (d) subclause 403.262(1) of Schedule 2; and\n\n (e) subclause 403.262(2) of Schedule 2.\n\n4  Definitions\n\n  In this instrument:\n\nAQF means the Australian Qualifications Framework within the meaning of the Higher Education Support Act 2003.\n\nforeign education institution means a foreign education institution mentioned in Schedule 1.\n\ngraduated means having met the academic requirements for the award of that qualification.\n\nMigration Regulations means the Migration Regulations 1994.\n\nqualification means one of the degrees or higher qualifications mentioned in Schedule 2.\n\nrelated industries means one or more of the related industries mentioned in section 8.\n\ntest component means each of the following of an English language test that is specified in section 9:\n\n1.     listening;\n2.     reading;\n3.     speaking; and\n4.     writing.\n\n\n5  Schedules\n\n  Each instrument that is specified in a Schedule to this instrument is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this instrument has effect according to its terms.  \n\n\n6  Specified foreign education institutions\n\n  For the purposes of item 4(a) of the table in paragraph 1234(3F)(c) of Schedule 1 and subclause 403.261(2) of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations, the foreign education institution from which an applicant must have graduated is an institution specified in an item in Schedule 1.\n\n7  Specified qualifications\n\n  For the purposes of paragraphs 403.261(1)(a) and (b) and subclause 403.261(2) of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations, a qualification is specified if all of the following apply:\n\n (a) the qualification is mentioned in an item of Schedule 2;\n\n (b) the qualification was conferred or awarded by a foreign education institution specified in an item in Schedule 1; and\n\n (c) the qualification is equivalent to an AQF level 7 degree or higher qualification.\n\n8  Specified related industries\n\n  For the purposes of paragraphs 403.261(1)(a) and (b) and subclause 403.261(2) of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations, each of the following related industries is specified:\n\n (a) renewable energy;\n\n (b) mining;\n\n (c) engineering;\n\n (d) information communications technology;\n\n (e) artificial intelligence;\n\n (f) financial technology;\n\n (g) agricultural technology.\n\n9  Specified English language tests \n\n  For the purposes of subclause 403.262(1) of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations, the following language tests are specified:\n\n (a) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE);\n\n (b) International English Language Testing System (IELTS);\n\n (c) Occupational English Test (OET);\n\n (d) Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE);\n\n (e) Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT).\n\n10  Specified test scores to be achieved\n\n  For the purposes of subclause 403.262(1) of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations, the test scores to be achieved, in a language test specified in section 9, are specified in Schedule 3.\n\n11  Specified period and requirement\n\n  For the purposes of subclauses 403.262(1) and (2) of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations, the following period and requirement are specified:\n\n (a) the applicant must have undertaken the language test within the following period:\n\n (i) if evidence of the test is provided at the time the applicant makes an application for a Subclass 403 (Temporary Work (International Relations)) visa in the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme stream —the 1 year period immediately before the day on which the visa application is made; or\n\n (ii) if evidence of the test is not provided at the time the visa application is made—the 1 year period immediately before the day on which a decision to grant or refuse to grant the visa is made;\n\n (b) unless the test is an OET, the test scores were achieved in a single sitting of the test.\n\n \n\n   \n\n\nSchedule 1—Foreign Education Institutions\n\n \n\n- Foreign Education Institutions\n- Item Institution City State\n- 1 Indian Institute of Technology Madras Chennai Tamil Nadu\n- 2 Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru Bengaluru Karnataka\n- 3 Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Mumbai Maharashtra\n- 4 Indian Institute of Technology Delhi New Delhi Delhi\n- 5 Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Kanpur Uttar Pradesh\n- 6 Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Kharagpur West Bengal\n- 7 All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi New Delhi Delhi\n- 8 Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee Roorkee Uttarakhand\n- 9 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Guwahati Assam\n- 10 Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi Delhi\n- 11 Banaras Hindu University Varanasi Uttar Pradesh\n- 12 Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Hyderabad Telangana\n- 13 Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi Delhi\n- 14 Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal Manipal Karnataka\n- 15 University of Delhi Delhi Delhi\n- 16 Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh Uttar Pradesh\n- 17 Jadavpur University Kolkata West Bengal\n- 18 Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Coimbatore Tamil Nadu\n- 19 Vellore Institute of Technology Vellore Tamil Nadu\n- 20 Anna University Chennai Tamil Nadu\n- 21 S.R.M. Institute of Science and Technology Chennai Tamil Nadu\n- 22 Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Chennai Tamil Nadu\n- 23 Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani Pilani Rajasthan\n- 24 Siksha `O` Anusandhan Bhubaneswar Odisha\n- 25 University of Hyderabad Hyderabad Telangana\n- 26 Calcutta University Kolkata West Bengal\n- 27 Homi Bhabha National Institute Mumbai Maharashtra\n- 28 Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Bhubaneswar Odisha\n- 29 Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar Gandhinagar Gujarat\n- 30 Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) Varanasi Varanasi Uttar Pradesh\n- 31 National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli Tiruchirappalli Tamil Nadu\n- 32 Chandigarh University Mohali Punjab\n- 33 Indian Institute of Technology Indore Indore Madhya Pradesh\n- 34 National Institute of Technology Rourkela Rourkela Odisha\n- 35 Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad Dhanbad Jharkhand\n- 36 JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research Mysuru Karnataka\n- 37 Savitribai Phule Pune University Pune Maharashtra\n- 38 Kerala University Thiruvananthapuram Kerala\n- 39 Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research Puducherry Pondicherry\n- 40 Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation University (K L College of Engineering) Vaddeswaram Andhra Pradesh\n- 41 Andhra University Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh\n- 42 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune Pune Maharashtra\n- 43 Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (Deemed-to-be-university) Patiala Punjab\n- 44 Bharathiar University Coimbatore Tamil Nadu\n- 45 Lovely Professional University Phagwara Punjab\n- 46 National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal Surathkal Karnataka\n- 47 Shanmugha Arts Science Technology and Research Academy Thanjavur Tamil Nadu\n- 48 Indian Institute of Technology Ropar Rupnagar Punjab\n- 49 Amity University Gautam Budh Nagar Uttar Pradesh\n- 50 Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education Srivilliputhur Tamil Nadu\n- 51 Cochin University of Science and Technology Cochin Kerala\n- 52 Symbiosos International Pune Maharashtra\n- 53 National Institute of Technology Warangal Warangal Telangana\n- 54 National Institute of Technology Calicut Kozhikode Kerala\n- 55 Bharathidasan University Tiruchirappalli Tamil Nadu\n- 56 Institute of Chemical Technology Mumbai Maharashtra\n- 57 Gauhati University Guwahati Assam\n- 58 Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University Lucknow Uttar Pradesh\n- 59 UPES Dehradun Uttarakhand\n- 60 Panjab University Chandigarh Chandigarh\n- 61 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata Mohanpur West Bengal\n- 62 Jamia Hamdard New Delhi Delhi\n- 63 Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth Pune Maharashtra\n- 64 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali Mohali Punjab\n- 65 University of Madras Chennai Tamil Nadu\n- 66 Delhi Technological University New Delhi Delhi\n- 67 Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam Kerala\n- 68 Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur Jodhpur Rajasthan\n- 69 University of Kashmir Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir\n- 70 Osmania University Hyderabad Telangana\n- 71 Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research Wardha Maharashtra\n- 72 Indian Institute of Technology Mandi Mandi Himachal Pradesh\n- 73 Indian Institute of Technology Patna Patna Bihar\n- 74 All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rishikesh Rishikesh Uttarakhand\n- 75 Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata Kolkata West Bengal\n- 76 Alagappa University Karaikudi Tamil Nadu\n- 77 Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology Nagpur Nagpur Maharashtra\n- 78 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal Bhopal Madhya Pradesh\n- 79 Graphic Era University Dehradun Uttarakhand\n- 80 Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana Punjab\n- 81 Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering Kalavakkam Tamil Nadu\n- 82 Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur Rajasthan\n- 83 All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur Jodhpur Rajasthan\n- 84 SVKM`s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies Mumbai Maharashtra\n- 85 Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology Chennai Tamil Nadu\n- 86 Mysore University Mysuru Karnataka\n- 87 University of Jammu Jammu Jammu and Kashmir\n- 88 King George`s Medical University Lucknow Uttar Pradesh\n- 89 Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences Solan Himachal Pradesh\n- 90 Christ University Bengaluru Karnataka\n- 91 Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research Chennai Tamil Nadu\n- 92 National Institute of Technology Silchar Silchar Assam\n- 93 National Institute of Technology Durgapur Durgapur West Bengal\n- 94 Gujarat University Ahmedabad Gujarat\n- 95 Shiv Nadar University Gautam Buddha Nagar Uttar Pradesh\n- 96 Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research Chennai Tamil Nadu\n- 97 Acharya Nagarjuna University Guntur Andhra Pradesh\n- 98 Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai Maharashtra\n- 99 All India Institute of Medical Sciences Patna Patna Bihar\n- 100 Periyar University Salem Tamil Nadu\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nSchedule 2—Qualifications\n\n \n\n| Item | Degree(s) or Higher Qualification(s) Name |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1 | Bachelor Degree |\n| 2 | Bachelor Degree (Honours/ Research) |\n| 4 | Postgraduate Diploma |\n| 5 | Masters (all) |\n| 6 | Doctoral Degree (all) |\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nSchedule 3—Required English language test scores\n\n \n\n- Required test scores\n- Item If the English language test is … the required test scores for that test are …\n- 1 the CAE (a) an overall band score of at least 169; and(b) a score of at least 154 for each test component of the CAE.\n- 2 the IELTS (a) an overall band score of at least 6; and(b) a score of at least 5 for each test component of the IELTS.\n- 3 the OET a score of at least C for each test component of the OET.\n- 4 the PTE (a) an overall band score of at least 50; and(b) for the listening test component of the PTE—a score of at least 36; and(c) for the reading test component of the PTE —a score of at least 36; and(d) for the speaking test component of the PTE —a score of at least 36; and(e) for the writing test component of the PTE —a score of at least 36.\n- 5 the TOEFL iBT (a) a total overall score of at least 64; and(b) for the listening test component of the TOEFL iBT—a score of at least 4; and(c) for the reading test component of the TOEFL iBT—a score of at least 4; and(d) for the speaking test component of the TOEFL iBT—a score of at least 14; and(e) for the writing test component of the TOEFL iBT—a score of at least 14.\n\n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This instrument replaces broader or unspecified eligibility criteria with concrete lists and numeric thresholds, thereby clarifying and limiting who qualifies: only graduates from the institutions in Schedule 1 with listed qualifications equivalent to AQF level 7+, working in the named related industries, and meeting the specified English-test scores and timing rules are within scope (ss.6–11; Schedules 1–3). The direct costs (tests, documentation) fall on applicants; verification and discretion rest with visa decision-makers applying these specified criteria."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-references to multiple Migration Regulations provisions and subclauses that require precise alignment (s.3; ss.6–11).","Long enumerated list of foreign institutions (100 items in Schedule 1) creating bulk verification work for assessors.","AQF equivalence requirement for listed qualifications (s.7) necessitates comparative assessment of foreign awards against Australian levels.","Multiple approved English tests with component-level and overall score thresholds (s.9; Schedule 3) increasing assessment detail.","Single-sitting requirement for non-OET tests and conditional timing windows for test validity tied to application or decision date (s.11(a)–(b)).","Specified list of related industries (s.8) that constrains eligible roles and may require industry-matching decisions.","Instrument amends or interacts with other instruments via Schedules (s.5), adding administrative linkage complexity.","Definitions (e.g. 'graduated') and conferral/award provenance requirements (s.4; s.7(b)) create documentary proof and interpretation tasks."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets the exact study, institution and English-language requirements that applicants must meet for the Subclass 403 (MATES Stream) visa: it lists eligible foreign institutions, acceptable qualifications equivalent to AQF level 7+, defined related industries, approved English tests and minimum component scores, plus timing and single-sitting rules. It affects graduates of the named institutions who must pay for and produce test evidence; decision-makers will apply these specified criteria (ss.6–11, Schedules 1–3), which shifts verification and compliance costs onto applicants and assessing officers."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument performs a narrow, technical function: specifying particular institutions, qualifications, industries, and English test requirements for a new visa stream. It does not expand beyond this specification role. The scope aligns precisely with the enabling provisions in the Migration Regulations 1994 cited in section 3, which anticipate exactly this type of detailed prescription. There is no mission creep or expansion into adjacent policy areas."},"complexity_factors":["Straightforward structure with clear sections (1-11) plus three schedules","Only 6 defined terms in section 4, all standard and uncontroversial","No nested conditional logic or exceptions to exceptions — requirements are cumulative ('all of the following apply') rather than branching","Cross-references are explicit and limited to specific provisions of the Migration Regulations 1994 (5 discrete citation points)","Schedules contain simple tabular data (lists of institutions, qualification types, test scores) rather than complex legal prose","Single timing condition in section 11 with two clear alternative scenarios (test provided at application vs. later)","No delegated legislative powers or machinery provisions beyond the basic specification function"],"plain_english_summary":"This creates the MATES stream (subclass 403), a temporary Australian work visa for early‑career professionals from India. Eligibility is tightly limited by graduation from specified Indian universities, a minimum bachelor‑level qualification relevant to certain technical industries, and meeting prescribed English‑language test standards. It matters because it’s a narrowly targeted Australia–India mobility pathway designed to channel specific, high‑demand technical talent to Australian employers."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/migration-specification-of-study-and-english-language-requirements-subclass-403-mates-stream-visa-li","history":"/api/acts/migration-specification-of-study-and-english-language-requirements-subclass-403-mates-stream-visa-li/history","analysis":"/api/acts/migration-specification-of-study-and-english-language-requirements-subclass-403-mates-stream-visa-li/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/migration-specification-of-study-and-english-language-requirements-subclass-403-mates-stream-visa-li/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/migration-specification-of-study-and-english-language-requirements-subclass-403-mates-stream-visa-li/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/migration-specification-of-study-and-english-language-requirements-subclass-403-mates-stream-visa-li/documents"}}