Media Release
Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)

4 December 2007

High Demand for Australian Tourist Visas

Indonesians planning to travel to Australia for holidays over the next few months should lodge their visa applications as soon as possible.

First Secretary (Immigration) at the Australian Embassy, Dr Leanne Blackley, said Australia had processed nearly 60,000 visitor visas for Indonesians planning a holiday or short stay in Australia in the past year, a 12 per cent increase on the previous year.

“Going by previous experience, November and December are particularly busy – our tourist applications often double at this time,” Dr Blackley said. “We anticipate Australia will again be a popular holiday destination for Indonesians over the Christmas and New Year period.”

“We are therefore encouraging people to plan ahead and lodge their visa applications as soon as possible,” Dr Blackley said.

“If Indonesian visitors lodge visa applications now, we can process most in five working days or less. When our applications double in the weeks ahead, these visas may take longer.”

“I know from the airlines that people are making holiday bookings already – and in some cases they are scheduling additional flights to meet the demand,” she said.

Dr Blackley said the Embassy was issuing more clients with a 12-month multiple entry visa, so they are able to travel as often as they like in the 12 months after the visa is issued.

“So there is every reason to apply now, rather than waiting until the final days before travelling to Australia” Dr Blackley said.

Dr Blackley said the vast majority (96 per cent) of visa applications lodged in Indonesia were approved last year.

Visa applications can be lodged Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4pm, at the Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC), Level 22, Plaza Asia, Jl Jend Sudirman Kav 59, Jakarta (opposite Sudirman Place Shopping Mall), or in Bali, Perkantoran Duta Wijaya Unit 12, Jl Raya Puputan, Renon, Denpasar.

To avoid the rush and queues at AVAC, applicants also have the option of selecting a courier service and applying for visas from the comfort of home – call 5140 1590-91 (Jakarta) or (0361) 264 958 (Bali) to arrange this service.

Applications are generally decided by the embassy/consulate within five working days after delivery.

For further information, email [email protected]