Aust-Indon trade pact aim for 2017

Australia stands to make a pretty penny by training Indonesians up with new skills, Jakarta's trade minister believes.

Trade Minister Steve Ciobo met with Indonesian counterpart Thomas Lembong on Wednesday to discuss re-activating talks on a trade agreement.

He wants to finish up the deal by next year to enhance what he's described as a "significantly underdone" trade relationship.

"From Australia's perspective we want to ensure there are some early outcomes ... with a view to securing the comprehensive partnership agreement somewhere between the next 12 to 18 months," Mr Ciobo told reporters in Canberra.

"There is a high level of ambition from both sides."

Mr Lembong said the political moment appeared to be "just right" for such a deal.

He wants to move beyond "20th century battlegrounds" and issues of contention which have fractured the relationship in the past.

Mr Lembong doesn't believe such a pact would kill Australian jobs, saying Indonesia needed expertise, training and teaching.

"Australia will make a pretty penny providing those services to us."

He described their discussions as "fun", saying there were symbolic benefits by boosting Indonesia's exposure to Australian celebrity chefs.

"We are trying to be a bit out of the box and imaginative on ways forward."