Indonesia proposes lottery system for Australia's working holiday visa

Bandung, West Java (ANTARA) - Indonesia has proposed a lottery-based system for the issuance of Australian Working Holiday Visas (WHVs) to Indonesian citizens, aiming to ensure a fairer and more transparent selection process.

Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said the proposal was put forward during a meeting with the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in response to the high interest of Indonesian citizens in the WHV program.

"We propose for the procedure in issuing work and holiday visas for Indonesians to be managed through a lottery system, which is more appropriate to ensure fairness, transparency, and efficiency in managing the large quota of applicants from Indonesia," Marantoko noted on Tuesday (June 30).

He said the proposal was presented during a bilateral meeting with the Australian DHA on the sidelines of the 29th ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (DGICM), held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on June 23–25, 2026.

At the forum, he also outlined the three pillars of the Indonesian immigration strategy, namely strengthening border inspections, monitoring foreign nationals, and integrating digital services.

These three pillars are supported by cross-agency collaboration, thus improving the early detection of immigration violations and transnational crimes before, during, and after inspections.

Furthermore, the digital immigration system is also being strengthened through the Foreigner Reporting Application (APOA), in integration with the National Police.

The system helped uncover an alleged online investment fraud syndicate involving 210 foreign nationals in Batam in early May 2026.

Marantoko also explained that supervision at immigration checkpoints is being strengthened through the Passenger Analysis Unit (PAU) and the Immigration Traffic Monitoring Center (ITMC) using a risk-based approach.

At the regional forum, Indonesia was appointed as the Voluntary Lead Shepherd (VLS) to coordinate the handling of human trafficking issues in Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, Cambodia leads intelligence issues, Malaysia handles terrorism, Singapore coordinates the handling of counterfeit documents, and Brunei Darussalam is in charge of consular affairs.

"The challenge of transnational crime requires an integrated solution. Through Indonesia's mandate as Lead Shepherd for human trafficking, we encourage the commitment of all ASEAN members to enhance intelligence exchange and technology alignment for a safer and more resilient region," Marantoko pointed out.

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Translator: Ricky Prayoga, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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