Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated his view that Indonesia is Canberra’s most important partner, as Southeast Asia’s biggest economy celebrates its 81st year of independence amid earthquake woes. [Jakarta Globe]

In the News:

  • Deepfake Anthony Albanese used in celebrity scams duping Australians out of $7.4m, Asic warns – There has been a steep rise in scammers luring victims into phoney investment opportunities using deepfakes of celebrities and politicians, Australia’s corporate watchdog has warned. [The Guardian]
  • Indonesia confirms 68 dead after magnitude 7.7 NTT earthquake – Indonesia’s disaster management agency said on Monday that 68 people had been confirmed dead following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, with rescue teams continuing to search for victims. [Antara News]
  • Why is National Australia Bank stock sliding today? – National Australia Bank stock fell 4.1% to A$39.67 after the lender’s third-quarter 2026 trading update pointed to a dramatic slowdown in home loan applications that rattled investors despite a headline improvement in earnings. [Investing.com]
  • How Much Does Independence Day Ceremony at IKN Cost This Year? – The Nusantara Capital City (IKN) Authority held a ceremony to commemorate Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day on Monday, August 17, 2026. Held at Plaza Seremoni at IKN, East Kalimantan, the event cost approximately Rp2 billion. [Tempo.co]
  • Gig economy workers guaranteed new minimum pay rate and accident insurance – Thousands of Australian gig economy workers will benefit from new minimum standards and pay from Monday. Under a deal between Transport Workers Union (TWU) and delivery service giants Uber Eats and DoorDash, there is a minimum safety net pay rate, accident insurance for workers, a voice for platform workers, representation rights and new dispute resolution processes. [news.com.au]
  • Aid shortages and fears of starvation as Indonesia reels from deadly earthquake – When a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Flores on Saturday, this area was among the worst-hit. Health facilities were toppled, electricity networks cut, and after two days aftershocks still rattled the makeshift shelters while inside, medical supplies rapidly diminished. [BBC]
  • Indonesia steps up Bromo fire checks to prevent new outbreaks – The Forestry Ministry continues to conduct cooling operations and ground checks in areas affected by fires in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) to ensure that no residual embers remain. [Antara News]
  • More Queensland students choosing STEM classes, but girls still under-represented – The number of year 12 Queensland students enrolling in some STEM subjects, including physics and specialist mathematics, has jumped by almost 50 per cent over the last six years. [ABC News]
  • Mining, business leaders warn immigration changes could discourage skilled migrant workers – Business and mining groups are resisting a push to curb migration, warning skilled workers are critical to the health of the economy. Australian Industry Group boss Innes Willox says Australia is in a “war for talent” and needed to be “responsible but as welcoming as possible”. [ABC News]

Events:

  • Australia–Indonesia Executive Dialogue: Preparing Future Leaders for Indonesia 2045. AIYA is proud to support this upcoming dialogue in Sydney, bringing together leaders, policymakers, researchers, industry professionals, and students to explore the opportunities shaping Indonesia’s future. Save the date: Thursday, 27 August 2026 🕒 3:00–5:00 PM AEST 📍 100 Theatrette, Macquarie University, Sydney. For more information click here!
  • AIYA Queensland is proudly present the fantastic of Pesta Rakyat!! More than a festival, it’s a space where culture comes alive, communities come together, and new connections begin. 🇮🇩✨ Save the date: Saturday, 30 August 2026 @ Captain Burke Park. For more information click here!
  • AIYA SA will be joining the Indonesian Independence Day celebration! Come and celebrate with us on Saturday, 29 August 2026 for a day filled with Indonesian culture, community, games, food and fun! 🇮🇩✨ Location: Adelaide Atrium & Math Lawn, Adelaide University. Click here for information!
  • After a short break following its 2025 festival season, NONGKRONG is going on tour, bringing some of its signature events to Melbourne, Sydney, and Darwin throughout August. Expect an exciting program featuring Indonesian performances, food pop-ups, and interactive workshops. Event announcements will be released over the coming week, so keep an eye on NONGKRONG’s social media for updates.
  • The Indonesian film Para Perasuk will be screened at the Taiwan Film Festival in Melbourne on Sunday, 30 August. Click here for more information.
  • ANU Indonesia Project – We are delighted to announce that registration is now open for the 43rd Indonesia Update, ‘Islamic diversity in Indonesia’, to be held on 18-19 September 2026 at The Australian National University. More Info here.
  • AIYA ACT – Come and try playing Javanese Gamelan with AIYA ACT and ANUISA every Monday 6-8pm in Room 521 (behind the Recording Studio), Level 5 of the Llewellyn Hall at the ANU. For more information click here!
  • 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! VIC – every Wednesday at 6-7pm, Kathleen Syme Library–Activity Room 2; NSW – every Thursday at 6.30pm, Darling Square.
  • 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.

Tune In:

  • Saat berjalan-jalan di kawasan perumahan Australia, Anda mungkin melihat berbagai tanaman — mulai dari daun kari dan lemon hingga tomat dan tanaman herbal — tumbuh di halaman depan rumah atau di area tepi jalan. Namun, apakah memetiknya diperbolehkan secara hukum? Panduan ini menjelaskan kapan Anda boleh memetik hasil tanaman tersebut, mengapa meminta izin itu penting, serta bagaimana kebun komunitas menawarkan alternatif untuk menanam bahan pangan sendiri. Dengarkan penjelasan lebih lanjut dalam SBS Australia–Australia Explained: Bolehkah Anda Memetik Buah dari Kebun Orang Lain?
  • Banyak orang Indonesia di Australia pernah kepikiran, “Kayaknya gue mau buka usaha deh.” Tapi dari buka usaha kecil-kecilan sampai benar-benar punya restoran, perjalanannya ga sesederhana itu.Ulam Rasa, restoran Indonesia di Melbourne, berawal dari dapur rumah Jessica dan Tonino saat pandemi. Jessica memang sudah lama bekerja di industri hospitality. Sementara Tonino masih bekerja kantoran. Simak perjalanan Jessica dan Tonino lebih lanjut pada S3E7 Perantau Podcast: Dari Dapur Rumah ke Restoran Indonesia di Melbourne | Ulam Rasa
  • Last month, a series of attacks on transgender women in Bogor sent a chill through a community for whom this kind of violence is increasingly normal. The recent attacks have coincided with the release of the full text of Presidential Regulation No. 111 of 2025 concerning the 2025-2029 General Policy for National Defence, classifying the spread of LGBTQI+ culture as a ‘non-military’ threat to the state, placing it within the same category as terrorism, separatism and radicalism. Listen more on Talking Indonesia: LGBTQI+ community under attack

Opportunities:

AIYA is now in partnership: AIYA x Cinta Bahasa! 🎉🤝
All AIYA members can now enjoy 15% off Cinta Bahasa’s online or in-person Indonesian language classes! To register, simply log in to your AIYA membership dashboard > Resource Center > Cinta Bahasa.

  • The University of Melbourne is looking for a International Partnerships Adviser! If you have strong communications and project management skills, and currently hold visa worker, you might be the right candidate! Click here for more info!
  • If you are a highly organised and service-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment with a passion for education and exceptional stakeholder service, check this Student Coordination Officer job at The University of Queensland! deadline: Monday 31 August 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-67416). 
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is looking for several positions to fill with various closing dates. Click here for more information!
  • 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!!
  • 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
  • The Jakarta Bintangs is an Australian Football Club with membership open to anyone, beginners are most welcome. The club organizes 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/ 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.
  • 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 such as 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.