Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Australian Consortium for ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies (ACICIS) has published Experiencing Indonesia: 30 Years of ACICIS. The volume charts the institutional history of ACICIS alongside the development, innovation, and impact of its programs, while sharing personal reflections from alumni, staff members, and partners across Australia and Indonesia. Together, the contributors offer diverse perspectives on the significance and lasting impact of ACICIS programs. The book is now available to download from ANU Press.

In the News:

  • Trump administration confirms new 12.5 per cent tariff for Australia – Five months after a court struck down many of Donald Trump’s tariffs, the US has announced a suite of new imposts for all of its major trading partners. Australia has been hit with a 12.5 per cent tariff, while some countries have a 10 per cent tariff. [ABC News]
  • How Indonesia Responds to New 10 Pct US Import Tariff – The United States government has imposed a new 10 percent additional import tariff on 60 trading partner nations, including Indonesia, effective July 24, 2026, amid an ongoing trade investigation by Washington. The Indonesian government, meanwhile, continues to lobby Washington to secure more competitive tariff rates for its exports. [Tempo English]
  • Albanese flags new fuel announcements as petrol prices tipped to spike further – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his government is not planning to extend the fuel excise discount but has foreshadowed there will be further announcements on fuel in the coming days. [SBS]
  • Why a siren is set to blare from your mobile – At 2pm AEST on Monday 27th July an emergency siren will sound on just about every mobile phone in Australia. It’s called AusAlert and the new emergency system is being tested ahead of its potential use during times of crisis across Australia. [ABC News]
  • Presiden Prabowo bentuk Universitas Republik Indonesia – Apa urgensinya? – Pembentukan Universitas Republik Indonesia “tidak ada urgensinya”, menurut sejumlah pakar pendidikan. Alasannya, fungsi melatih aparatur sipil negara dan para pejabat pemerintah selama ini telah dijalankan Lembaga Administrasi Negara dan Lembaga Ketahanan Nasional. [BBC]
  • BRIN Researcher Warns 2026 El Nino Stronger Than 2023 – Researcher at the Climate and Atmosphere Research Center of the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Erma Yulihastin, presented this data on Saturday, July 25, 2026. She quoted, among others, from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). “It is clear and proven that El Nino 2026 is stronger than 2023,” she said. [Tempo English]
  • Immigration Probes Dutch Nationals over Bali Running Event – The Directorate General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights is launching an investigation into a running event in Bali that barred local residents from participating. Authorities suspect the event was organized by two Dutch nationals. [Tempo English]
  • Sydney house prices falling in ‘premium locations’, but rising in historically affordable outer suburbs – The downturn of Sydney’s house and unit prices are “less likely” to impact first home buyers, a residential economist says. Data released by Domain shows the city recorded the lowest drop in the country, but mainly in “premium locations”. A real estate agent in a traditionally affordable area of Sydney’s west says buyer confidence is at “an all-time low”. [ABC News]
  • Persija Jakarta Backs Shin Tae-yong Despite KFA Sanction – Persija Jakarta football club remains committed to supporting coach Shin Tae-yong, who was sanctioned by the Korea Football Association (KFA) following an incident of physical violence while managing South Korean club Ulsan HD. [Tempo English]

Events:

  • Are you interested in Indonesian foreign policy or curious about the Australia–Indonesia relationship? AIYA ACT and the ANU Indonesia Institute have the event for you! Testing Indonesia’s Bebas-Aktif Foreign Policy in a World of Instability will bring together four experts on the Australia–Indonesia relationship to discuss how Indonesia’s longstanding Bebas-Aktif (free and active) foreign policy is applied in today’s diplomatic landscape. Join the discussion on 29 July 2026. More information is available here.
  • BBTS UWA x AAYA x AIYA present… “Pearls x Professionals: Careers in Asia Expo”!! On Thursday 30 July at UWA. Find out more here.
  • AIYA Queensland is excited to invite you to Trivia 100: Indo-Aussie Trivia & Social Night—a fun evening of friendly competition, Indonesian snacks, and new connections. Click here for more information and join the fun on 3 August 2026!
  • Join us as we relaunch the AIYA South Australia Chapter on 7 August 2026! Meet our new committee, learn about our vision, connect with the community, and enjoy an authentic Indonesian early dinner. Click here for more information.
  • Join us to celebrate Experiencing Indonesia: 30 years of ACICIS Book Launch! This event will feature Kirrilee Hughes, Kate Naidu, and David Reeve in conversation with Dr Natali Pearson. Save the date: Wednesday 12 August 2026, 5.30-7.30pm at Level 24, 123 Pitt St, Sidney. For more information and registration click here.
  • Asialink and the Asia Institute present the 2026 Southeast Asia Oration at the University of Melbourne, with support from the ASEAN-Australia Centre. Held annually, the oration invites a leading voice to discuss the evolving political, social, and economic landscape of Southeast Asia.
  • This year’s speaker is Professor Sri Mulyani Indrawati, one of Indonesia’s longest-serving Ministers of Finance. Her oration, Governing for Growth: Democracy and Development in Southeast Asian Countries, will explore how Southeast Asian nations are balancing economic growth with democratic governance. Click here and join the discussion.
  • 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, @5.30pm in Room 630, Level 6 of the Llewellyn Hall at ANU.
  • 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:

  • A total of 8,178 students from Universitas Gadjah Mada are currently participating in the university’s Community Service Program (KKN). Deployed across 298 locations in 32 provinces throughout Indonesia, the program demonstrates the vital role universities play in supporting and empowering local communities. Listen to the full story here.

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.

  • NAILA 2026 is now open for submission! Ready to put your Indonesian language skills to the test? Join the competition, showcase your talent, and compete for exciting prizes! Deadline: 30 July 2026. Register yourself here!
  • The Global Scholars Club is a new community helping underrepresented young people access international opportunities by sharing real stories, free resources, and practical insights from past scholars. We publish reflections and guides on our Substack – you can check it out here.
    The founder, Billy Blackett, is particularly passionate about Indonesia, having participated in the Australian Indonesian Youth Exchange Program. He shares regular updates on opportunities and reflections via LinkedIn, and is always happy to field questions or provide application support as a Rhodes Scholar and alumnus of NCP and AIYEP. Connect with Billy for more insight!
  • 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.