Business Forum - Festival Indonesia 2025
“Bridging Indonesia – Australia Health Futures: Innovation and Care Across Borders”
Date/ Time: October 20, 2025 at 09:00 AM
Venue: The Promenade Docklands, Victoria - Australia
Indonesia and Australia have significant potential to expand their partnership in the health sector. The broader Indonesia – Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership, effective from July 2020, creates opportunities for trade in pharmaceutical products and clinical development, while also providing a platform for the exchange of healthcare service workers and investment, among other benefits.
Under President Prabowo’s leadership, investment in health cooperation has been widely encouraged. This is supported by the recent legislative reforms, including the Omnibus Health Law (2023) which have opened doors for greater foreign investment in healthcare services. The law expands the roles of foreign doctors and medical professionals, particularly in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and streamlines the approvals for foreign medical practices and educational providers in Indonesia. These national priorities align with Australia’s economic strategy in Southeast Asia through 2040. In May 2025, during the Indonesia-Australia Annual Leaders’ Meeting, the Plan of Action for the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership 2025-2029 was signed. This plan lays the groundwork for our commitment to strengthen primary health policies and services, improve access to and quality of services, develop human and animal health workforce capacity, and bolster health security. Subsequently, a subsidiary arrangement titled the Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Health Transformation (KITA SEHAT) was signed in early August 2025.
The Indonesian healthcare market is projected to reach USD 22.4 billion by 2025, with an annual growth rate of nearly 6.8% through 2029. With a growing population of over 260 million, a rising middle class, and an aging demographic, there is an increasing demand for more advanced care. The prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and the rising needs for diabetes, cardiovascular, and cancer care present strong market opportunities. Additionally, with a high number of internet users in Indonesia and 356 million mobile connections, there is a rising demand for digital health solutions. The digital health market in Indonesia is projected to exceed USD 2 billion by 2025 and will continue to expand rapidly through 2030, driven by the demand for telemedicine, health analytics, and connected care solutions.
The large Indonesia-Australia health market presents ample opportunities for increased cooperation and collaboration in the healthcare sector. Given their historical ties and geographical proximity, Australian expertise in medical technology (medtech), diagnostics, and the pharmaceutical regulatory framework aligns well with Indonesia’s evolving market. Victoria, particularly, is a densely populated hub of healthcare innovation with exemplary institutions and companies specializing in medical technology and biotechnology, serving as a significant life sciences hub. The state also has the highest proportion of both private and government-operated residential aged care services compared to other states. Notably, there is an increasing demand for aged care in Australia, projected to rise from 42,000 to 194,000 by 2040. The growth of the "silver economy" creates opportunities for cooperation in health and assistive technology, aged care and home support, education, workforce and employment, lifestyle real estate (such as retirement villages), and health tourism.
Objectives:
Promote investment and trade opportunities in Indonesia
Highlight investment prospects in Indonesia’s health industries, focusing on hospital infrastructure, medical technology, telemedicine, pharmaceutical research and trial, and health workforce development.
In the Festival Indonesia 2025, the Forum will particularly highlight business opportunities in the Southern region of Sumatra, which includes the provinces of Lampung, South Sumatra, Bangka-Belitung, Jambi, and Bengkulu. This area is increasingly recognized as a strategic gateway for regional investment across Indonesia and ASEAN.
2. Encourage knowledge and technology exchange
Facilitate dialogue among policymakers, business leaders, and practitioners from Indonesia and Australia to share best practices and innovative solutions in healthcare delivery and management.
3. Align with regional and global health priorities
Situate Indonesia – Australia cooperation within broader frameworks such as ASEAN health initiatives, IA-CEPA, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
4. Advance practical bilateral cooperation pathways
Establish collaborative efforts between Australian and Indonesian stakeholders across three key areas:
Healthcare workers training and mobility
Digital health solutions and interoperability
Pharmaceutical R&D and product development
Support and Organisation:
This Business Forum is organized by the Festival Indonesia Inc and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Melbourne with support from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Canberra, the Australia-Indonesia Business Council Chapter Victoria, and the Victorian Government Trade and Investment in Jakarta.
The forum is part of the Festival Indonesia 2025 with a grand theme “Glorious Sriwijaya,” a series of events co-organized by the Consulate General and Festival Indonesia Inc. Its aim is to promote Indonesian investment, trade, and tourism in Australia. In addition to the business forum, the Indonesian Festival will feature several other events, including outdoor Food and Trade Stalls, cultural performances during both the outdoor festival and Indonesian night, FI Goes to School, and cultural workshops.
Expected Outcomes:
Increased Awareness:
Enhance awareness regarding health-related business and investment opportunities in Indonesia, particularly in the Southern region of Sumatra.
2. Actionable bilateral commitments
Establish agreements or letters of intent between Indonesian and Australian stakeholders in areas such as joint research, investment facilitation, and the integration of digital health systems.
3. Enhanced investment flows
Identify new investment opportunities in pharmaceuticals, health technology, aged care, and digital health platforms, with follow-up mechanisms for potential joint ventures or Public Private Partnership (PPPs).
4. Strengthened research and development (R&D) partnerships
Create collaborative R&D projects that leverage Melbourne’s global reputation in biotechnology alongside Indonesia’s expanding pharmaceutical and health services market.
5. Capacity-building and workforce mobility programs
Develop frameworks for the exchange of health professionals, training programs, and certification pathways to improve workforce capabilities in both countries.
6. Policy and regulatory insights
Establish a shared understanding of health sector regulations, investment incentives, and digital health frameworks to reduce barriers for cross-border collaboration.
7. Concrete follow-up platform
Form a joint working group or annual dialogue mechanism aimed at monitoring progress, reviewing initiatives, and maintaining momentum beyond the forum.
8. Encourage the involvement of the Indonesian diaspora in the growing cooperation between Indonesia and Australia in the health sector to address future needs.
