Anthony Albanese says Australia's relationship with Indonesia goes beyond symbolism, as he touched down in Jakarta ahead of crucial talks.
The prime minister will meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday as part of his first bilateral overseas visit since being sworn in last month.
Speaking to reporters after landing in the Indonesian capital on Sunday night, Mr Albanese said the president was a firm friend of Australia.
"I look forward to the discussions with President Widodo about strengthening our economic relationship, about foreign aid, about increasing our people-to-people relations going forward," he said.
"This is more than symbolic, this is a friendship which is deep."
The prime minister is expected to emphasise during the one-on-one talks the important relationship between Indonesia and Australia, as well as the long history of cooperation and shared interests between the countries.
Mr Albanese will also commit to deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Indonesia and Australia.
Discussions are also set to take place about Australia's $200 million climate and infrastructure fund.
While Mr Albanese's first overseas trip as prime minister was to Tokyo for the Quad leaders' summit, he said repeatedly during the election campaign Indonesia would be a priority for his government.
As well as meeting President Widodo, Mr Albanese will hold talks with ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi.
The prime minister said the broader relationship for Australia with southeast Asia would form a pivotal part of talks during his visit to Indonesia.
"In recent times, there shows that there's a need for us to strengthen that relationship," he said.
"We want to strengthen the relationship with Indonesia, but also with southeast Asia, we see that ASEAN is central to the region."
The prime minister will travel alongside Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Trade Minister Don Farrell, Industry Minister Ed Husic as well as Darwin-based MP Luke Gosling.
A high-level delegation of 11 Australian business leaders and chief executives will also travel to Indonesia.
En route to Indonesia, Mr Albanese spoke with his Timor-Leste counterpart Jose Ramos-Horta.
Officials described the conversation between the two as "warm and positive", with Mr Ramos-Horta congratulating Australia's prime minister on his recent election victory.
Mr Albanese pledged to closely cooperate on climate change and infrastructure, and to support development in Timor-Leste.
