Why travel through a supervised program?

There are many different visas available to allow people to work in Australia, such as working holiday visa, work and holiday visa and skilled business visas. However not all countries have a reciprocal arrangement to allow their nationals to apply for working holiday and work & holiday visas and skilled business visas generally require employer sponsorship.

The Stablemate youth exchange program is available to all nationalities and employer sponsorship is not required. As a long as a person is age between 18 and 30 and they have proven equine experience, supported by references, and they have a genuine wish to work with horses and experience Australia, they are able to apply for the Stablemate youth exchange program.

The Stablemate youth exchange program is not a visa service; it is a program. Stablemate do assist an applicant with applying for the visa for the program, which is a special program visa, but this is only one very small part of the program we offer.

The special program subclass 416 visa is a cultural/social visa and in conjunction with the Stablemate program allows applicants to broaden their equine industry skills and experience cultural and social enrichment, through living and partaking in a wide range of Australian activities.

Stablemate and Stablemate’s partners offer a full support package from the very start of the application process. The support for the applicant continues throughout the program, including assistance and support on arrival through until they depart the country at the end of their program.


The following services are offered through the Stablemate program –

  • Locate a suitable host/employer in Australia.
  • Assistance with applying for the 416 special program visa, to allow you to work and train in Australia, including liaising with DIAC on your behalf.
  • Assistance with obtaining comprehensive travel insurance that offers coverage for medical, repatriation, emergency dental and activities connected with equine pursuits.
  • Collection from the airport on your arrival, including accommodation when you first arrive.
  • Full orientation on arrival into Australia, including introduction to Australia, initial skills assessment and assistance with bank account, sorting out a mobile phone and applying for a tax file number,
  • Free phone call home and internet access during orientation.
  • Assistance with organising travel to your host.
  • Assessment and supervised training throughout your time in Australia.
  • Monitoring your employment and training.

Stablemate offer a 6 month program, or a 12 month program. The applicant can work for one employer for their entire program or if they have a 12 month program, with specific permission, they may be able to have two placements.
This is a cultural and social program therefore applicants are encouraged to take time off at the end of their placement to travel and see many of the wonderful sights of Australia.

Feel free to contact us and speak to one of our consultants at any time.

17 Aug 2010
TEP (formerly Stablemate) closes its recruitment section and expands the migration section
Our company has operated a recruitment agency for 20 years, commencing business in July 1990. However, since Equine Influenza and the Economic Downturn the recruitment section has declined, so the final decision has been made to shut the recruitment agency.
17 Aug 2010
New salary requirement for 457
From July 1, 2010 the TSMIT (Temporary Sponsored Migration Income Threshold) has been increased from $45,220 to $47,480. The five percent increase is based on the annual seasonally adjusted wage change for all Australians.
17 Aug 2010
New ENS (Employer Nomination Scheme) minimum salary
The minimum salary for applications under ENS has increased from $45,220 to $47,480.
17 Aug 2010
Monitoring and compliance of 457 sponsors
Employers are being monitored much more closely than ever before. Employers continue to receive site visits and phone calls from DIAC officers, sometimes without warning.
17 Aug 2010
Update on visa processing times
457 – Turnaround continues to be inconsistent, however complete sponsorship applications, particularly in Sydney and Parramatta, are being turned around in approximately 4 weeks.