Skill Exchange Pilot Program between Indonesia and Australia, version 2.0
On Wednesday 15 November 2023, the Australian – Indonesia Business Council (AIBC) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) held an online socialization for the IA-CEPA Skills Exchange Program [Indonesia Australia- Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement = IA CEPA]. The updated agreement was signed on the 25th August 2023 as a form of strengthening the links between Indonesia and Australia, and reflecting the importance on delivering mutually advantageous outcomes to strengthen skills and experience in each country. This revised agreement tends to broaden the potential impact of the previous initiative of 2019, largely through widening the scope of applicable professions.
In essence Australians can travel to Indonesia, and Indonesians can travel to Australia for 6 to 12 months under this visa to undertake further upskilling paid work, and to appreciate each other’s culture. The program only applies to companies with a foot in both countries, and who are also members of selected associations, such as the Chamber of Commerce, or AI / IA business Council etc. There are educational and experience requirements for those applying, along with interviews and paperwork to get a letter of recommendation from DFAT, or Indonesian Ministry of Manpower, as the prerequisite towards the special visa, that is handled by separate government bodies. It is hoped the time to get the letter of recommendation from DFAT will take a month, after all paperwork cleared. It is understood that DFAT is processing an initial one party of 12 applicants. In the first year of this Pilot project there will be slots for 100 people going each way, and this number will increase each year to an overall maximum of 1,500 over 5 years.
Eligible workplace placements include, but may not be limited to;
(a) Financial and insurance services.
(b) Mining, engineering and related technical services,
(c) Information media and telecommunication services,
(d) Tourism and travel related services,
(e) Creative economy,
(f) Agri-business and food processing,
(g) Green economy.
Some general discussion suggested further widening this initiative to source Indonesian teachers, nurses and fishermen for Australia. There would appear to be opportunities for specialists to 1) upgrade some of the graduate’s technical level to match that required at the receiving country, and 2) assist applicants through the paperwork.
It is intended this Skills Exchange Pilot Program will be further socialised through governments, NGO’s Business to Business, and people to people.