Strengthening links: Justice and Human Rights Minister Andi Mattalata (left) talks with Australian Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Evans before the signing of MOUs on border cooperation and visa arrangements between the two countries, in Jakarta on Tuesday. JP/R. Berto Wedhatama
Indonesian and Australian university students will soon be able to benefit from a reciprocal work and holiday visa deal between both countries.
A memorandum of understanding was signed in Jakarta on Tuesday by Indonesian Justice and Human Rights Minister Andi Mattalatta and Australian Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Evans.
The MOU allows university-educated Australian and Indonesian travelers, aged between 18 and 30, to work and vacation in each other’s countries for up to 12 months.
“The work and holiday visa arrangement allows young people from both countries to travel and experience a different lifestyle and culture and subsidize their holiday,” Evans said during the signing ceremony.
He added the work and holiday visa differed from a working holiday visa because it required applicants to have the support of their government, possess or be studying toward a tertiary qualification, and speak functional English or Indonesian, respectively.
Applicants must also meet health and character requirements and have no dependents, according to a press release from the Australian minister’s office.
There will be an annual limit of 100 work and holiday visas for both countries, but this figure will be reviewed on a needs basis, it added.
“Indonesia is a key partner for Australia and this new arrangement is an investment in future relations with Indonesia,” Senator Evans said.
“It will also help grow people-to-people understanding.”
He added the deal would provide a further incentive for young people from both countries to deepen their understanding of each other’s histories, cultures and economics.
When asked about how this contradicted with the Australian government’s travel warning for Indonesia, Evans said, “We can be responsible in recognizing danger, but also we can’t hide, we still need to get on with the important task of developing understanding and developing people-to-people relations.”
Besides, he went on, the travel warning had not stopped Australians from visiting Indonesia.
“There are still hundred of thousands of Australians who come to Indonesia each year,” he pointed out.
Evans added Indonesia was the seventh country to agree to a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement with Australia, after Thailand, Malaysia, Chile, Turkey, Bangladesh and the United States.
Justice minister Andi Mattalatta said Indonesia had signed the agreement with huge confidence that it would greatly benefit both countries.
“Indonesia will try to smooth the implementation of the MOU, including simplifying bureaucratic matters and improving the security situation so that the travel warning can be changed to a travel promotion for Indonesia,” he said.
He added the Indonesian government would start discussing visa regulations with the House of Representatives in July.
“Indonesia and Australia are neighbors and therefore we need to develop mutual relationship,” he said.
He added that to improve relations, both countries needed to deepen their mutual understanding not only at a government-to-government level, but also at a people-to-people level.
“Indonesia believes this program will enrich the outlook on histories, cultures and economies of the two nations,” Andi said.
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