More opportunities have been unlocked for Indian students and young professionals in Australia

India and Australia’s mutual initiatives to support education

India and Australia have shared a strong long-standing relationship since 1941. These ties have only continued to grow stronger since, with increasing efforts from both countries to pursue and expand the possibilities of their partnership.

According to Erudera, as of December 2022, India had the second highest recorded international students in Australia with 100,302 students. With the Indian community becoming the fastest-growing migrant group in Australia, the two countries have fostered significant collaborations in various fields, particularly in international education. Here are some of the recent initiatives which have and will shape the international education landscape for both countries:

1. Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI ECTA)

“The education sector held the greatest promise for Australia’s trading relationship with India.” said Dan Tehan, the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Implemented in December 2022, the AI ECTA makes it easier and more accessible for Indian students to stay, study and earn in Australia. Under the agreement, students who go to study in Australia will get an opportunity to work there, through the post-study work visa. Different education qualifications each have their corresponding visa validity duration:

• diplomas or trade qualifications, up to 18 months
• bachelor degrees, up to two years
• masters degrees, up to three years
• doctoral degrees, up to four years
• *an additional year will be available for Indians who graduate with bachelor degrees in STEM and ICT with First Class Honours, from two to three years

2. Mechanism for the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications

Australia and India’s Education Ministers signed the first ever Mechanism for the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications in New Delhi on 2 March 2023. With this mechanism, Australian and Indian students, graduates, academics, researchers, and education and training institutions now have an ongoing dialogue regarding shared measures to recognise qualifications, minimising barriers and promoting two-way mobility.

Some have regarded this as India’s most comprehensive education agreement of its kind with another country. Australian minister for Education Jason Clare says, “This agreement locks in the rules for mutual recognition to access education in both our countries, including the qualifications we provide online and offshore.”

3. MATES (Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme)

Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese of Australia and Narendra Modi of India have strengthened their bilateral cooperation with a new migration deal. Under the 10-page agreement is the MATES, an innovative program that opens up 3,000 spots annually for young professionals from India to spend two years in Australia without needing a visa sponsorship.

In addition, as of 1 July 2023, according to Insider Guides, the MATES develops in order that “Indian graduates from Australian tertiary institutions can apply to work in Australia for up to eight years. At the same time, Australians aiming to conduct research in India can now apply for an S-5 visa, granting them a stay in India for up to three years or for the duration of their research project.”

More reasons for Indian students to pursue studies in Australia

Australia has been an inviting destination for international students because of its high-quality education system, globally recognised universities, multicultural environment, and accessible post-study work opportunities. Here are a handful of reasons we believe students have chosen and continue to pursue studies in Australia:

1. World-class education. Australian universities regularly come in the top 100 universities worldwide as per the QS World Ranking. It’s also famous for The Group of 8 universities, a group of Australia’s leading universities which are renowned for their intensive research and their contribution to quality education and curriculum development. Graduates from Australian universities are sought after by countless employers internationally and often go on to achieve great success.
2. Accessible visa applications and work opportunities. Indian students can apply for their student visas through the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) easily, and given the multiple new initiatives outlined above, more so now. There are also multiple scholarships and grant opportunities in Australian universities that are available to international students, such as the Australia Awards Scholarships, Global Excellence Scholarship, Australian Government Research and Training Program (AGRTP), and Destination Australia International Scholarship. Another great feat designed around the needs of international students is work-integrated learning, which is a great way to gain valuable experience and start building their professional network even while studying. Recently, the Australian government has announced an increased cap for allowable working hours for international students, to up to 48 hours per fortnight.
3. Socialising and exploring. Australia has a very diverse range of people and cultures, making it easier for international students to assimilate into the community. It also offers a wider social pool from where they can meet and connect with people from all over the globe. What’s more, Australia is known for its adventure-friendly environment. Students can explore different facets of nature – from rainforests and mountains to the Great Barrier Reef.