Links 02 February 2026
Indonesia-Australia to Expand Strategic Partnership in Creative Economy – Indonesian Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya welcomed Australian Minister for the Arts Anthony Stephen Burke in Jakarta, underscoring both nations’ commitment to strengthening cross-sector partnerships in 2026. [RRI]
In the news
- Prabowo Reveals Gov’t Programs During Meeting with Opposition Figures – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met with several figures referred to as opposition figures at his private residence on Jalan Kertanegara IV, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Friday evening, January 30, 2026. Prabowo spoke to his guests about government programs. [Tempo English]
- Clive Palmer rejects Steve Bannon influence claim in latest Epstein files – Clive Palmer has denied newly surfaced claims that his 2019 federal election campaign was influenced by a senior advisor to US President Donald Trump. [ABC News]
- Indonesia’s OJK unveils 8 major reforms to boost capital market – The Financial Services Authority (OJK) has outlined eight measures crafted to accelerate reform of Indonesia’s capital market, with a focus on liquidity, transparency, governance, and market deepening. [Antara News]
- Indonesia–Australia sepakati kerja sama penguatan keamanan regional – Indonesia dan Australia sepakat memperkuat kerja sama keamanan kawasan melalui Pertemuan ke-11 Australia–Indonesia Ministerial Council Meeting on Law and Security (MCM) yang digelar di Jakarta Rabu,(29/1) sebagai upaya bersama merespons dinamika dan tantangan keamanan regional yang kian kompleks. [Antara News]
- Spotlight remains on a Coalition in chaos as parliament returns, with splits and spills looming over policy – Reduced from an already paltry 42 opposition members, the desertion of the 14 Nationals from the Coalition leaves Sussan Ley with an anemic 28 votes on her side of the chamber – herself included. [The Guardian]
- Indonesia’s Economy Strengthens in 2025 Amid Stable Inflation: Minister – Indonesia’s macroeconomic outlook appears increasingly resilient as the country moves into 2026, with the government signaling that year-end growth figures for 2025 are likely to surpass earlier benchmarks. [RRI]
- Why Asian countries are joining Trump’s Board of Peace – Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Pakistan and Kazakhstan are among the 25 countries who have agreed to join so far. [ABC News]
- Indonesia deploys 396 additional health workers for Aceh recovery – The Indonesian Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Aceh Health Office, has deployed 396 additional backup healthcare personnel to areas hit by recent floods and landslides in Aceh. [Antara News]
- Real estate agents in Australia using apps that leave millions of lease documents at risk, digital researcher says–Australian platforms used by real estate agents to upload documentation for renters and landlords are leaving people’s personal information exposed in hyperlinks accessible online. [The Guardian]
- Indonesia becomes first developing country with WHO WLA status – The Republic of Indonesia, through its Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM), has become the first developing country to be included in the World Health Organization’s Listed Authority (WLA) for vaccine regulatory functions. [Antara News]
- ‘We love this kid so much’: Paddle-out at Bondi for young shark attack victim – The heartbroken parents of a shark attack victim have remembered him as a boy who “loved life” as friends and supporters took part in a mass paddle-out to mourn the young surfer. [SBS News]
- ‘History complete’: Carlos Alcaraz achieves rare feat in Novak Djokovic dethroning – Carlos Alcaraz has become the youngest player ever to win all four grand slams, defeating Novak Djokovic to claim the Australian Open title. [9News.com]
- UGM Researcher Turns Geothermal Waste Into Nano Fertilizer – Indonesia’s geothermal energy potential does not only serve as a source of electricity. A researcher at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) has discovered that silica deposits from geothermal fluids can be transformed into high-value nanosilica, capable of increasing plant productivity by up to 50 percent. [Tempo English]
- Timnas Indonesia akan Punya Ronaldo dari Liga Australia, Luke Vickery Akui Sudah Dihubungi PSSI – Pemain berdarah Medan yang punya gaya main mirip seperti Cristiano Ronaldo, Luke Vickery, berbicara soal peluang bermain di Timnas Indonesia. Secara terbuka, ia menyebut PSSI telah menghubunginya. [TVOneNews]
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.
- 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!
Events

- Run with Grace with the Amazing Race! Australia Awards is hosting the Australia–Indonesia Amazing Race in Sydney aims to create a fun, inclusive space for Indonesians and Australians to connect and build networks during their time in Australia. Save the date: Saturday, 14 February 2026 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM AEDT at Sydney CBD. Slots are limited! Register here by 09 February to secure your spot.
- 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.
- 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!
- Jakarta Bintangs in partnership with AIYA, host an Australian Football Training Session on 15 Feb, @Hockey Field 1,GBK Jakarta from 4pm-6pm. Register here.
- 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!!
- Australian and Indonesian Short Films Festival Screening is back!!! ReelOzInd! invites you to experience a curated selection of short films by Australian and Indonesian filmmakers that reflect everyday lives, social realities, and shared human experiences across borders. Save the date: Wednesday, 11 February 2026 | 6:00 PM @Ashfield Library. It’s a FREE entry, so secure your place here!!
Tune In
- Talking Indonesia: Indonesian ecological thinking – In this episode, we had a conversation with two of Bacaan Bumi’s key contributors: Farabi Fakih, who heads the Master’s program in History at Gadjah Mada University where the critical environmental history curriculum was born, and Fathun Karib, a historical sociologist, postdoctoral fellow at the Asia Research Institute, and founding member of punk band Critical Death. [Indonesia at Melbourne]
- SBS Audio Program recaps weekly headlines including Jakarta’s urban density challenges and cultural preservation through cinema like Samsara – Tune here to learn more. [SBS Bahasa 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.
- The Asia Society Australia is pleased to present the Generation Asia Masterclass: Investment, AI & Asia, delivered in partnership with Professionals in International Trade (PIT). Save the date: Thursday, 12th February 5.30pm at Macquarie University. For more details and registration, please visit this link!!
- The Australasian and Southeast Asian Muslim Youth Summit (ASEAMYS 2026) is back! If you’re passionate about leadership, community impact, and shaping the future, this is an opportunity not to miss. Register now to secure your place, and visit the event website for more details. 📅 Friday, 6 February (8:00am) – Saturday, 7 February (5:30pm AEST).📍 BTP Conference & Exhibition Centre, Eight Mile Plains, QLD, Australia
- The Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program 2025-26 round is now open for application. Deadline 16:00 (AEDT) 6 February 2026. For more information please visit this website.
- 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. Visit the website for more information!
- 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.





