Jakarta: A plan to scrap the $US35 visa Australian visitors must obtain on arrival in Indonesia is in doubt because Australia does not have a reciprocal arrangement.
The Indonesian government announced on Tuesday that Australia would be among 47 countries exempted from tourist visa requirements.
However Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs spokesman Joko Hartoyo told Fairfax Media a decision was on hold pending discussions between Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
"Ideally we want Indonesians to go to Australia without a visa but if it's not possible we at least hope that Australia can grant visa free facility to our diplomats and government officials," Mr Joko said.
"Therefore the meeting decided that the Foreign Minister should talk with her Australian counterpart."
Ms Bishop said Australia was excluded from visa-free travel to Indonesia because the countries do not have a reciprocal arrangement.
"Australia remains committed to a universal visa regime, which requires all non-citizens to hold a valid visa to enter Australia. There is no intention to provide visa free access for any country," she said.
Ms Bishop said she and Ms Retno would meet in Sydney on Thursday to continue their discussion on matters of mutual interest.
Tourism Minister Arief Yahya and Maritime Affairs Minister Rizal Ramli reportedly announced 47 new countries - including Australia - would be granted visa exemptions as part of the Indonesian government's target of attracting 20 million foreign tourists to Indonesia every year by 2019.
Mr Joko said Indonesia had already exempted 30 countries from visa requirements in June, which had led to a 15 per cent increase in foreign tourists to Indonesia.
Asked why the ministers said Australia was included on the visa-free list, Mr Joko said: "We tried to include Australia in the beginning but decided that the treatment should be reciprocal."
Currently, Australian tourists pay $US35 ($A49.95) for a 30-day visa to enter Indonesia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Indonesia was the second most popular destination for Australians in 2014-2015, with 1.2 million visiting the archipelago.
In January Indonesia dropped an earlier plan to waive the tourism visa, also on the grounds it wanted to pursue a reciprocal arrangement with Australia.
Indonesia Institute president Ross Taylor said this was a golden opportunity for the Australian government to drop its onerous requirement for Indonesian visitors to pay a $130 visa application fee and fill out up to 15 pages.
"I just find it odd that we are trying to promote Australia to the big emerging middle class in Indonesia and Immigration is doing its very best to ensure they make choices other than coming to Australia," Mr Taylor said.
"If our government is serious about putting more ballast in our relationship, here's a good opportunity to reciprocate."
