Links 16 February 2026
Indonesia and Australia can make a coal pact for climate progress – I n the 1960s, major oil-producing nations formed a cartel to drive up the price of oil. It worked. For decades, nations in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have agreed to manage supply and raise prices. [The Jakarta Post]
In the news
- Wool price jumps ahead of industry-first Chinese New Year break – The industry’s benchmark Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) improved 16 cents this week to 1,693 cents per kilogram, which is its highest level since 2019. [ABC News]
- Indonesia, Malaysia expand research cooperation on food security, AI – Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in research and higher education, focusing on food security, the green economy, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence (AI). [Antara News]
- Winter Olympics 2026 day 11: Australian Ally Hickman’s snowboard slopestyle final postponed at Milano Cortina Games – Heavy snow has wreaked havoc on day 11 of the Winter Olympics, with several Australians having their events postponed for the day. [ABC News]
- Indonesia Confirms Start of Ramadan on February 19 – Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar stated that the government has designated the beginning of Ramadan 1447 H/2026 on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The reason is that the position of the hilal (crescent moon) in Indonesia on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, does not meet the MABIMS criteria. [Tempo]
- Rise of Australia’s public economy is comparable to the mining boom of the 2000s, analyst says “The Australian economy is changing in profound ways, with implications for society, policy, and public finances,” it warned. [ABC News]
On The Blog

- People and Culture team have officially launched AIYA Volunteers of the Month Program! This initiative will allow AIYA volunteers to anonymously nominate a fellow volunteer who truly embodies our mission to Connect, Inform, Inspire. AIYA Volunteers, kindly check your email for the link.
- In a recent guest feature for AIYA, Saman Farrukh from Seventure Flow explores how Australian and Indonesian medical and pharmaceutical companies are successfully penetrating the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market. Farrukh highlights that as both nations look to diversify their exports, the GCC has become a vital hub for healthcare expansion. Click here to read the full article!
- 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
- 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 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.
- AIYA NSW Language Exchange (LX) is now every Thursday at Darling Square @6.30pm! Don’t miss the fun and joy with us!!
- Om Tom Learning Indonesian: An inspiring and educational comedy show about how one man (Om Tom) learnt Indonesian by accident through the different episodes of his life. Delivered bilingually, Learning Indonesian with Om Tom is not only a comedy show but an effort to build bridges between Indonesian and English-speaking communities. Register yourself in Om Tom upcoming shows! Save the dates Adelaide: Tue, 03 Mar – Wed, 04 Mar; Melbourne show: Fri, 27 – Sun, 29 March.
Tune In
- Bagi seorang Candra Darusman, bukan saja soal ‘ngamen’ yang ada di benaknya – Listen here to know more [SBS Bahasa Indonesia]
- On January 2nd, 2026, Indonesia entered what officials are calling a “new era” of criminal justice. The country implemented a completely new Criminal code – KUHP – and a new Criminal Procedure Code—known as KUHAP—that changes what counts as a crime and how crimes are identified, investigated and punished. – Tune here to learn more. [Talking Indonesia]
- Kabar Indonesia: Taman Nasional Tesso Nilo menjadi Dilema Konservasi dan Perlawanan Masyarakat Listen here to know more. [SBS Bahasa Indonesia]
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.
- Australia Awards – Are you a future leader from Indonesia aspiring to pursue a Masters or PhD at an Australian university? Australia Awards is now accepting application! Apply and experience a world-class education in Australia. Applications close on 30 April 2026. Visit the website for more information!
- Australia Awards – bekerja sama dengan Australia-Indonesia Knowledge Partnership Platform (KONEKSI), mengundang para profesional dari instansi pemerintah, perguruan tinggi, lembaga riset dan sektor industri untuk mendaftar Beasiswa Studi Singkat Australia Awards, ‘Mendorong Percepatan Hilirisasi Hasil Riset’.We strongly encourage women from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disability to apply. Due date 23 February 2026, at 23.59 WIB, click here for more info.
- Monash University is looking for a Project Manager! If you feel like someone who have climate change policy background, extensive experience in project management and education training, you might the perfect fit for this role! find out more information about this role here!!
- Volunteer positions for WIIS-A (Women in International Security – Australia) are available. Come and check the position of Communication officer and Events officer. Apply ASAP.
- 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.
