Links 5 August 2025

Australian Minister for International Development Dr. Anne Aly promoted bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Australia during her visit to Jakarta on Monday, 4 August 2025. In Jakarta, Anne Aly will meet with senior Indonesian ministers, including Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, officials at the National Development Planning Agency, and civil society organizations to discuss bilateral cooperation in line with Indonesia’s development priorities. [Antara News]

In the News

• New Colombo Plan reforms to build Australia’s Asia capability – Penny Wong announced the next phase of the New Colombo Plan (NCP), which will further strengthen Australia’s Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy. From 2026, Australia will further increase scholarship numbers, place greater emphasis on students learning Asian languages and prioritise long-term immersive experiences. [Media Release – Ministry of Foreign Affairs Australia]
• Tens of thousands turn out for Sydney pro-Palestinian march – A planned pro-Palestinian protest across the Sydney Harbour Bridge has gone ahead after it was authorised by the Supreme Court just one day prior, in what organisers called a “historic” decision. Tens of thousands turned out for the March for Humanity on Sunday despite torrential rain – with many carrying placards with messages to politicians to stop the war. [BBC]
• Australia lifts foreign student cap and prioritises Southeast Asia – Australia will raise its cap on foreign students by 9 percent to 295,000 next year and prioritise applicants from Southeast Asia, the government said on Monday. Limits on places were announced last year as a way to rein in record migration that had contributed to a surge in housing prices, with 270,000 places made available for 2025. [The Jakarta Post]
• Barantin dan Australia Tanda Tangan MoU, Langkah Strategis Harmonisasi Biosekuriti – Kepala Badan Karantina Indonesia (Barantin) Sahat M. Panggabean dan Menteri Pertanian, Perikanan, dan Kehutanan (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry/DAFF) Australia Julie Collins menandatangani Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) atau nota kesepahaman untuk penyelarasan sistem biosekuriti kedua negara. Nota Kesepahaman tentang Mekanisme Kepatuhan dan Penegakan Hukum dalam rangka penguatan biosekuriti dan karantina. [Badan Karantina Indonesia]
• Pemerintah Indonesia dan Australia Jalin Kemitraan Strategis di Sektor Kesehatan – Pemerintah Indonesia dan Australia telah resmi menjalin kemitraan strategis baru di sektor kesehatan dengan menandatangani Subsidiary Arrangement untuk Program Australia–Indonesia Partnership for Health Transformation, yang bertujuan mempercepat transformasi dalam sistem kesehatan di Indonesia serta mendukung pencapaian target pembangunan kesehatan nasional. [Kontan.co.id]
• The Australian National University is stepping back from humanities research — should funding go to the regions instead? – The proposals by the Australian National University (ANU) to disestablish some of its most globally respected research centres in the humanities, arts and social sciences have led some to wonder whether the university remains worthy of its reputation as a “truly national university” or of continuing to receive the National Institutes Grant. [ABC News]
• Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupts sending ash 10 kilometres into the sky – Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki has erupted, spewing an ash cloud more than 10 kilometres into the sky. It has experienced a number of eruptions in recent months, including an eruption in July that forced a number of international flights to Bali to be delayed or cancelled. [ABC News]
• Australian media faces existential crisis after realising ‘free Palestine’ might extend well beyond university lawns and Instagram – After years of sitting on the fence and looking the other way, the Australian media is today reckoning with the fact that showing basic sympathy towards the starving and war-weary people of Gaza is actually a very mainstream sentiment. [Asia Pacific Report]
• Indonesia Protests Using One Piece Flags Go Viral on Social Media Among Anime Lovers Worldwide – Some Indonesians are currently protesting against the government by waving One Piece anime flags. This protest continues to go viral on social media, with images of flags featuring pirate skulls in straw hats scattered throughout. This protest using Toei Animation’s anime has attracted widespread attention, even internationally, including among anime fans worldwide. [Tempo English]

On the Blog

• AIYA Annual 2024 is here! Reflecting on 2024, AIYA had a great year of growth in bridging Australian and Indonesian youth. Thank you to all our supporters, making sure AIYA continues to Connect, Inform, Inspire. We hope you enjoy reading our report from 2024!
• AIYA Urges UTAS to Reconsider Closure of Indonesian Language Program – The Australia-Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA) has formally urged the University of Tasmania (UTAS) to reconsider its proposal to discontinue the Indonesian Language Program, which has been flagged for closure due to low enrolment and internal restructuring.

Events

• IndOz is back this year at Brisbane City Hall on 21 August 2025!! IndOz is Australia’s largest Indonesia–Australia business conference and networking dinner, bringing together industry leaders, government representatives, and professionals from both countries. It’s an incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate our vibrant bilateral relationship. Click here for more information!!
• 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!
• Join AIYA SA on the last Friday of every month for a vibrant and inclusive evening of Indonesian culture, right here in South Australia! FREE for AIYA SA and PPIA UoA members! 🎉Grab your ticket here
• We are so back!! AIYA SA is now continue to held Indonesian study sessions every Wednesday at 12.30 PM on Flinders Uni City campus on level 4. Find out more information on this link!

Tune In

• The podcast “Australia in the World,” hosted by Darren Lim, provides expert analysis of key international and geopolitical issues impacting Australia’s global role as of mid-2025. Covering topics like diplomacy, foreign policy, security, and economics, it offers a uniquely Australian perspective on world events. Released fortnightly, it’s ideal for anyone wanting to understand Australia’s place in global affairs.(Australia in the World)
• The SBS Audio Program Bahasa Indonesia podcast, presented by Ricky Kusumo, offers regular and up-to-date news summaries in Indonesian covering political, social, and cultural issues as of July 25, 2025. Available on major platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the SBS Audio app, and Youtube it provides listeners with concise daily updates to stay informed on Indonesia’s current affairs. This podcast is an excellent resource for those wanting accessible and timely information delivered in the Indonesian language. (SBS Audio)

Opportunities

We’re so excited to share our newest 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.

• Host an Indonesian delegate in Melbourne, connect across cultures. Oct 25 – Nov 19, Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program 2025 — Host Family Expression of Interest. As a host family, you’ll receive a $1,050 stipend to cover hosting costs, and full support from our AIYEP team. More info here.
• AIYEP 2025 Host Organisation Expression of Interest is now open. In this year’s program, AIYEP participants will complete a three week full-time work experience from 27 October to 14 November 2025. Submit your interest here.
• AIYEP 2025 – For those open to being a Host Family for AIYEP 2025, we are pleased to invite you to take part. In this year’s program, participants will stay in Melbourne with host families for three weeks from 25 October to 16 November 2025. Submit your interest here.
• Invitation to Participate in the Jakarta International Youth Program (JIYP) 2025. The Jakarta Capital City Government is inviting youth aged 18-30 from NSW to apply for the Jakarta International Youth Program (JIYP) 2025, which will be taking place from 4 to 9 August 2025. More info here
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is looking a Full-time Senior Consular Officer based in Jakarta Office. Click here for details!
• Check out this job at Monash University: Public Policy – Academic Opportunities – Assistant Professor/Associate Professor/Professor!
• Palladium is looking a Business Development for Asia Pacific region. Click here for more information!
• Royal Carribean Group is looking for Upholsterer (Indonesia), with 2-3 years of experience in upholstery making/furniture upholsterer. More information click  here.
• The Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) Implementation Advisor volunteer will work in Padang, Indonesia, starting 25 October 2025, to improve AAC teaching methods at Layanan Disabilitas & Pendidikan Inklusif (LDPI) by training teachers and parents and developing communication programs for children with disabilities. The six-month assignment focuses on introducing innovative AAC strategies and creating resources to enhance inclusive education. Click here for more information.
• 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.