Prabowo Hosts Australia’s Albanese, Highlighting Education and Trade as Pillars of Bilateral Ties

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Friday, Feb 6, 2026, underscoring the growing depth of cooperation between the two neighbors across education, trade, and investment.

The meeting marked Albanese’s fifth visit to Indonesia in less than four years, a frequency both leaders cited as evidence of an increasingly close strategic relationship. “This is my fifth visit to Indonesia as prime minister in under four years, and that shows just how close our relationship is,” Albanese said during his exchange with Prabowo.

Prabowo opened the meeting by apologizing for not greeting the Australian leader upon arrival at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base a day earlier, citing a cabinet meeting at the palace. “I apologize for not being able to welcome you at the airport, as I had to chair a meeting at the palace,” Prabowo said. Albanese brushed aside the apology, replying, “That is quite all right, Mr. President. I am very happy that we can meet again.”

Education featured prominently in the discussions, reflecting one of the longest-standing pillars of Indonesia–Australia relations. About 24,000 Indonesian students studied in Australia in 2025, with more than 200,000 Indonesians having pursued education there over the years, according to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Australia also remains one of the largest providers of scholarships for Indonesians, offering around 220 awards annually through Australia Awards Indonesia and related short programs.

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Institutional ties have expanded as well, with Australian universities establishing a physical presence in Indonesia, including Monash University in Jakarta, Western Sydney University in Surabaya, and Deakin University in Bandung. Both governments have framed these initiatives as investments in Indonesia’s human capital rather than simple academic exchanges.

Economic cooperation has accelerated under the Indonesia–Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which came into force in July 2020. Two-way trade climbed from about AU$12.9 billion in 2020 to roughly AU$35.4 billion by the end of 2024, making Australia Indonesia’s ninth-largest trading partner last year. Indonesia posted a trade surplus of around AU$3.1 billion with Australia in 2024, while bilateral exports on both sides have risen steadily over the past five years.

Investment flows have also moved in both directions. Australian investment in Indonesia reached about $1.36 billion in 2024, while Indonesian investment in Australia slightly exceeded that figure at around $1.42 billion, highlighting a more balanced economic relationship than in the past.

People-to-people ties were another theme emphasized by both leaders. Roughly 1.75 million Australians visited Indonesia in 2024–2025, reinforcing tourism’s role as a key driver of bilateral economic activity. Albanese said the warm reception he consistently received in Indonesia was one reason he kept returning. “I always enjoy coming to Indonesia because of the hospitality and the closeness between our peoples,” he said.

Both sides indicated that the meeting would culminate in the signing of several new agreements aimed at further strengthening cooperation. While details were not immediately disclosed, officials said the deals would build on existing frameworks in education, economic partnership, and broader strategic engagement, signaling that Jakarta and Canberra intend to keep deepening ties amid an uncertain global backdrop.