Australian Road Toll Mounts for Indonesian Visitors

Calls for Tighter Licensing and Safety Support Amid Tragic Fatalities

A growing number of young Indonesians on working holiday visas are losing their lives in Australian road accidents, sparking urgent calls for improved safety measures and support systems for these temporary workers.

A Sister’s Loss Sparks a Brother’s Plea

The devastation experienced by Robby Yahya Bachtiar after his sister, Armitha Safitri, was killed in a South Australian car crash in 2023 has fuelled his campaign for change. Ms. Safitri, known as Mitha, died after her vehicle collided with a ute on the Karoonda Highway. Her parents, understandably traumatized, initially opposed Mr. Bachtiar’s own plans to visit Australia.

An email from South Australian police indicated Ms. Safitri “made a mistake while driving and that mistake resulted in her losing control of the vehicle.” Her brother highlighted that she possessed limited driving experience at the time of the accident.

Mr. Bachtiar is now urging Australian authorities to “tighten” driver’s license regulations for international visitors, noting that Indonesians can typically drive in Australia using their overseas licenses, with varying rules across states and territories regarding their validity and any required tests for local licenses.

A Pattern of Tragedy

Data from Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry reveals a disturbing trend: at least nine Indonesians have died and ten have been injured in road crashes in Australia during 2023 and 2024, all while on working holiday visas. These incidents include the deaths of Sophie Florence and David Lim in New South Wales, and Rosanti Dwi Septiyani and Fina Febriyanti in Western Australia.

The increase in these accidents coincides with a significant rise in Indonesians entering Australia on working holiday visas following an increase in the visa quota in 2020. These road incidents have deeply impacted the Indonesian community, both domestically and abroad, prompting calls for enhanced transportation support for visa holders needing to travel for work.

Calls for Greater Employer Responsibility

Matt Kunkel, CEO of the Migrant Workers Centre, emphasized that road safety concerns affect numerous temporary visa holders, particularly those in agricultural and regional employment where driving risks are amplified. “No-one should lose their life getting to work,” Mr. Kunkel stated. “These are young people with families, dreams, and futures. It’s time we treated them as more than just statistics.”

A Fatal Crash Leads to Sentencing

One case, the crash near Gunnedah in New South Wales in December 2023, resulted in the sentencing of Lius Chandra to an 18-month community corrections order. Mr. Chandra had pleaded guilty to negligent driving causing death and grievous bodily harm after overcorrecting on a wet road, leading to the deaths of three friends he was driving to a poultry farm. All involved held working holiday visas.

During sentencing, Magistrate Mal Macpherson noted that the loss of Mr. Chandra‘s friends would “remain with him for the rest of his life.” Mr. Chandra himself has urged fellow Indonesians to exercise extreme caution on Australian roads, especially in wet conditions and at high speeds, advising them to “reduce speed, maintain a distance from the vehicle in front, and avoid sudden movements.”

Lisanty Evans, president of the Gunnedah Multicultural Women’s Association, supported Mr. Chandra in court and advocated for the victims’ families. Her association recently hosted a road safety seminar for the multicultural community, highlighting the need for education on local driving conditions. “We’ve always seen the need of educating about driving in the region because in Gunnedah itself there are also a lot of migrants,” she said. Ms. Evans also suggested that employers should implement orientation programs covering driving safety or arrange transportation for overseas workers.

The National Farmers Federation acknowledged the sector’s reliance on international workers. “Any death is a tragedy, and we feel for affected friends and families overseas who lose loved ones far from home,” said NFF President David Jochinke. He added that while many employers provide transport in regional areas lacking public transit, “Many workers, however, will prefer to use their own transport.”

Data Gaps and Varying Regulations

Efforts to quantify the issue are hampered by a lack of comprehensive data. Federal departments, including Home Affairs and DFAT, stated they do not collect specific data on the road crash deaths of working holiday visa holders. National Transport Research Organisation safety expert David McTiernan noted the absence of a national approach to tracking drivers using international licenses, making it difficult to assess crash rates compared to the general population.

Adelaide Hills Fatal Crash Investigated

In South Australia, a fatal crash in 2023 involving an Indonesian driver, Ari Hasan Asyari, is still before the courts. Mr. Asyari, who had worked an overnight shift, was driving three fellow Indonesians home when the car veered off the road and struck a tree, resulting in one passenger’s death. Mr. Asyari pleaded guilty to aggravated counts of driving without due care.

Naufal Hisyam, a passenger in that crash who now lives with a physical disability, is back in Indonesia under his mother’s care. His mother, Teti Ofianti, expressed concern over her son’s changed demeanor, stating, “He was full of ideas, but not anymore. He is more passive now.” She urged Indonesian drivers to be more cautious and not overly confident on Australian roads.

Berry Lukman from the Indonesia Diaspora Network in South Australia commented on the necessity of driving for these workers, noting, “I often asked [visa holders], ‘Why do you dare to drive?’ [They say] because they have no choice. To work this job, they need a vehicle.” Mr. Lukman also pointed out that Indonesian drivers may not be familiar with Australian road terrain and its associated dangers.

Mandatory Insurance and Driving Experience

Community members have suggested that mandatory insurance for working holiday visa holders could be a crucial safety net, as many arrive without coverage. Indonesia’s ambassador to Australia, Siswo Pramono, confirmed that mandatory insurance as a visa condition has been discussed with the Australian government.

Mr. Bachtiar, despite his sister’s tragic death, still intends to pursue a working holiday visa for Australia due to economic factors. He is now focused on gaining more driving experience before his planned trip, having received his parents’ blessing.