Links 07 April

In the News

• Coalition to cut international student numbers by 80,000, raise visa application fees – Peter Dutton says a reduction in foreign students would help Australians “afford homes again”, by bringing down the cost of living. The Greens and the university sector have sharply criticised the plan as “scapegoating”. [SBS]
• The new TNI Law is about much more than just military dual function – Fears of an authoritarian reversal in Indonesia have gained traction, especially after Prabowo Subianto, a former military general known for his record of alleged gross human rights violations, assumed the presidency in Indonesia. [Indonesia at Melbourne]
• The billion-dollar problem that neither Albanese nor Dutton wants to become a big issue – Australia is heading into an election at a time of ongoing global deterioration, experts say, prompting questions about its defence approach and level of spending. [SBS]
• Nusantara welcomes 64,000 visitors over Idul Fitri – The future capital has quietly played host to a record 64,000 domestic and foreign visitors over the extended Idul Fitri holiday, the largest footfall it has seen since Jokowi left office last October. [ The Jakarta Post]
• Indonesia volcano eruption creates huge column of ash – Indonesia’s Mount Marapi erupted on Thursday, sending a column of ash 1.5km (4,900ft) above its peak. Timelapse CCTV footage captured the ash rising into the sky. The eruption has been rated at level two – the third-highest severity level – requiring a 3km (9,800ft) exclusion zone. [BBC]
• What difference will the election outcome make to Australia ties with Southeast Asia – The Albanese government has hung its hat on improving ties with Australia’s two near regions, the Pacific and Southeast Asia. And while there is clearly a hierarchy of effort, with the Pacific rightly allocated greater resources, Southeast Asia has been a focus for Foreign Minister Penny Wong. [Lowy Institute]
• Stylish new Bali resort helps the battle against bogans – Badly behaved bogans in Bintang singlets beware: Bali is clamping down on disrespectful tourists. The government is seeking to close loopholes in laws that allow recklessness to thrive among visitors as well as overhauling poor law enforcement of certain behaviours. [Sydney Morning Herald]
• Perang Dagang AS: Indonesia Masih Berhitung, China Membalas, Australia Protes – Presiden AS telah mengenakan tarif timbal balik terhadap Indonesia sebesar 32 persen. Kepala Kantor Komunikasi Kepresidenan, Hasan Nasbi pun menyebut Indonesia saat ini masih hitung-hitungan soal dampak dari kebijakan baru AS tersebut. [Kompas.com]
• Profil Matthew Baker, Bek Andalan Timnas Indonesia U-17 yang Tolak Panggilan Timnas Australia U-17 – Pemain muda kelahiran Melbourne, Australia, pada 13 Mei 2009. Matthew Baker memiliki darah campuran Australia dari sang ayah dan Indonesia dari ibunya. Matthew Baker mengawali karier sepak bolanya di akademi lokal Australia, Malvern City (2016-2017), sebelum pindah ke Box Hill United (2018-2021). [Sindonews]
• Tempe hingga Teater Mak Yong Diajukan Jadi Warisan Budaya Takbenda UNESCO – Kementerian Kebudayaan umumkan telah mengajukan formulir pengusulan Warisan Budaya Takbenda atau Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) ke Sekretariat UNESCO, Paris akhir Maret 2025 lalu. Di 2025, Indonesia mengajukan 3 budaya baru yakni Tempe, Jaranan, dan Teater Mak Yong. [Detik.com]

Tune In

• For the past few months, the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu has been taking over Indonesian social media. Driven by dreams of a better life and greater opportunities abroad, many overlook the challenges and trade-offs that come with it. In this episode of #KaburAjaDulu, one of our blog editors shares her personal journey—the highs, the lows, and the unexpected realities of living overseas.
• Climate Change is well-recognised as a massive challenge facing society today. It is clear that the political, economic and social consequences of climate change will not be felt equally, not only globally but also across Indonesia. (Talking Indonesia)
• Join Billy Adison Aditijanto and sit down with overseas Indonesians and the Indonesian diaspora to explore what it means to be, well, Indonesians. From international students to first-generation migrants, Indonesian academics to industry players, The Perantau Podcast dives into cross-cultural experiences, diaspora insights, Indonesian culture abroad, and the global Indonesian community. (The Perantau Podcast)
• Ready to future-proof your team? On the new episode of The Katalis Podcast, industry leaders Tim Gilbert, VP International Development, Melbourne Polytechnic, and Devi Ariyani, Executive Director, Indonesia Services Dialogue, share why the new Australian digital training platform, Indonesia-Australia Skills Exchange, is the go-to solution. (Katalis)
• Mas Zac, AIYA Western Australia President, had the honour of interviewing Ibu Listiana Operananta, Indonesian Consulate General in Perth. Check out the full interview here. (Instagram)
• Pelangi Indonesia School, an initiative of the Indonesian-Australian community in New South Wales, began its journey in early 2011 under the organisation Indonesian-Australian Families Association of New South Wales Incorporated (IAFA Inc.). In its operation for more than 10 years, Sekolah Indonesia Pelangi is supported by a number of volunteer teachers who are very dedicated in teaching Indonesian language and culture. (SBS Bahasa Indonesia)
• Australian device helping amputees in Indonesia. Millions of people across the world have had their leg amputated, but not all of them have access to the specialist care needed for a proper prosthetic limb. It’s a problem a team of Melbourne health professionals are addressing. Their new portable device creates casts for prosthetic limbs using only a pressurised water tank. (ABC Listen)
• A new AAH and ACOLA research report shows outputs from Australia-Indonesia bilateral research relationships are at an all-time high — with benefits to global health, energy, trade, people and culture — with further opportunities to grow. At the same time, researchers warn we risk taking this relationship for granted, with a decline in language capability causing concern. (Australian Academy of the Humanities)

Events

• JOIN AIYA LANGUAGE EXCHANGE (IN-PERSON or ONLINE!) LX is back in multiple locations across Australia. Connect, chill, and converse with like-minded youth, meet new friends and engage in cross-cultural exchange. Make sure to follow your local chapter on Instagram for updates on the next LX event near you!
• AIYA FLEX! – our online language exchange is open to anyone with any level of Indonesian and English! It is held monthly on Sunday at 3pm WIB/ 7pm AEDT. Join FLEX here.
• AIYA SA intends to continue their study session in 2025! Join the study session every Monday at 12.30pm AEDT & every Friday at 12pm AEDT

Opportunities

• Cowater International is seeking a Senior Partnerships Manager for The DFAT-funded Knowledge Partnership Platform (KONEKSI) project. Click here for more information!
• Cowater International is seeking a Communication Manager for The Australia-Indonesia Partnership Towards an Inclusive Society, or INKLUSI. For further information, click here!
• ANU Indonesia Project Student Research Travel Grant applications open! Are you an Australian student researching Indonesia? The ANU Indonesia Project Student Research Travel Grant provides funding to help cover research or travel costs to Indonesia, see here. maximum value of each grant is $3,000. Applications open until April 6th.
• The Australian Volunteers Program matches skilled Australians with partner organisations across the Pacific, Asia, and Africa to support them to achieve their own development goals. If you’re interested in volunteering check-out a range of opportunities here!!
• The wait is almost over… Applications for AIMEP 2025 will be opening soon — stay tuned for the official announcement!
• Australia Awards is opening various short course. Check here for more!
  • Strengthening the Higher Education Systems in Indonesia. Apply here by 20 April
  • Building cyber resilience: Managing risks and leveraging opportunities. Apply here by 10 April
  • Grains Value Chain Leadership Program. Apply here before 6 April
• The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is opening various job opportunities. Check here.
• McGregor Casting is looking for Indonesian Boy age 12-16 based in AUS/NZ/INDONESIA to audition for a support role in a feature film. click here for information!
• Indo Beyond Borders (IBB) is an Indonesian tutoring service, where language learning goes beyond the textbook. Join IBB and embark on an immersive learning experience that’s as dynamic and vibrant as Indonesia itself. Here to check more information
• Join Prospera talents community and become a part of a thriving network of professionals like you! Sign up today by dropping your CV here and shape the future with Prospera!
• KIAT (Kemitraan Indonesia Australia untuk Infrastruktur) is opening various employment opportunities and current tenders. Find out here. KIAT works with its government partners across Indonesia to deliver a range of large and small projects to improve access to infrastructure for all Indonesians.
• The Australian Government is receiving applications for the Working Holiday Maker program that allows young adults to have a 12 month holiday, during which they can undertake short-term work and study. More info here
• The Australian National University Indonesia Project is offering a number of grants and fellowships. Find out more about the opportunities: Collaborative Research Grants, and Visiting Fellow Grants.
• The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) helps grow Australia’s prosperity by delivering quality trade and investment services to businesses, accelerates growth in Australia’s tourism sector and promotes Australia’s education to the world. Find a list of available vacancies here.
• The Jakarta Bintangs is an Australian Football Club with membership open to anyone, beginners are most welcome. The club organises games throughout the year, mostly in Jakarta, with occasional games across Indonesia and overseas. Tours are planned to Bali, Batam, Vietnam and Thailand this year. Training is mostly held at Lapangan Bola Aldiron in Jakarta on Saturday or Sunday afternoons. On occasion, training sessions are also held Thursday nights in the GBK complex. To keep up to date with the training schedule follow them on Instagram @jakartabintangs. For more information click here.