Australia is looking to attract more investors from new parts of Asia as it relaxes visa conditions for visitors from Indonesia. At the moment, Singapore and China are the main investors in Australia through property, but it wants to strengthen business links to Indonesia through attracting better levels of investment.
To do this, the nation will relax visa conditions for those from Indonesia. At the moment, Indonesians can apply for a one-year multiple entry visa. However, this will be upgraded to three years moving forward, starting in 2016.
And to make the nation more accessible as a whole, it was also announced that Indonesian visitors to Australia will be able to lodge their applications for a visa online from 2017.
Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb, who promoted investment in Australia at a lunch with wealthy Indonesian businesspeople recently, said that this new move showed just how Australia is now working at every level to break down the barriers that can impede business links between itself and other nations.
Immigration and border protection minister Peter Dutton said: "This change reflects Australia's close relationship with Indonesia and is part of the government's agenda to boost our tourism sector and reduce red tape."
In 2014, Indonesians were the 12th largest group in terms of tourism in Australia after a six per cent increase in the number who visited the nation, and moving forward this should be increased thanks to the new relaxed rules employed by Australia.
Tourism Australia's managing director John O'Sullivan said: "Global tourism is a fiercely competitive marketplace and our research shows that, for many travellers considering Australia as a destination, visas arrangements are an important part of the decision-making process.
"These changes make the process easier and ensure we remain competitive."
