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Working over 40: age limits in job ads

Written by KarirAman editorial team Approved by Kaiser Khan (editor), Updated

When job ads may set age limits (Circular M/6/HK.04/V/2025), how to report age discrimination and free help.

Legal status: the Labour Protection Law was approved by the DPR and the Government on 6 October 2026 but has not been promulgated and its text is not public. Until it takes effect, the rules on this page apply.

Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat RI (emedia); Kementerian Ketenagakerjaan RI

Summary

  • Manpower Circular M/6/HK.04/V/2025 allows age requirements in recruitment only where there is a special need, under the conditions set out in point 3.
  • Point 3 names jobs whose nature genuinely affects a person's ability to do the work, and/or a requirement that does not remove or reduce job opportunities.
  • The circular bans discrimination on any grounds in recruitment, although it does not name appearance specifically.
  • Law 13/2003 Article 5 guarantees equal job opportunities without discrimination, and breaches can lead to administrative sanctions.
  • Job counsellors (Pengantar Kerja) at manpower offices offer career counselling, including career change (Minister of Manpower Regulation 18/2024).
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On this page
  1. Can a job ad in Indonesia set an age limit?
  2. What does Circular M/6/HK.04/V/2025 actually say?
  3. What about ads asking for an attractive appearance or single status?
  4. Where can I report age discrimination in hiring?
  5. What free help is there for job seekers over 40?
  6. How can I prove work experience if my diploma is in another field?
  7. Can people over 40 still work abroad?
  8. What are the warning signs of 'no age limit' job ads that ask for money?
  9. Which official channels can I use?

Can a job ad in Indonesia set an age limit?

Only in limited cases. Manpower Circular M/6/HK.04/V/2025 of 28 May 2025 says age requirements in recruitment may be used only where there is a special need, under these conditions: (a) for jobs or positions whose nature or characteristics genuinely affect a person's ability to do the work; and/or (b) the requirement must not remove or reduce the chance of getting work. The circular joins the two conditions with 'and/or'. The statutory basis is Law 13/2003 Articles 5 and 6 on equal opportunity and treatment without discrimination. The circular is guidance addressed to governors, not a statute, but it follows Law 13/2003.

What does Circular M/6/HK.04/V/2025 actually say?

We read the signed copy on the Ministry of Manpower legal database (JDIH). It has four points: every citizen has the right to work and a decent living; employers may not discriminate on any grounds in recruitment; age requirements are allowed only for a special need, under conditions (a) and/or (b) above; and the ban and the age rules apply equally to workers with disabilities. The circular does not name appearance, marital status or ethnicity specifically, although some news reports said it did. Governors are asked to pass it on to district heads and mayors.

What about ads asking for an attractive appearance or single status?

Circular M/6/HK.04/V/2025 does not name appearance or marital status specifically, but point 2 bans discrimination on any grounds in recruitment. Law 13/2003 Article 5 guarantees every worker an equal chance, without discrimination, to obtain work. Once you are employed, Law 13/2003 Article 153 as amended by Law 6/2023 bans dismissal because of physical condition or marital status, and such a dismissal is void by law.

Where can I report age discrimination in hiring?

Keep evidence first: a screenshot of the job ad, the date, the company name and any rejection message. Report it through the Ministry of Manpower complaint channel or the district manpower office where the company is based. Law 13/2003 Article 190, as amended by Law 6/2023, lets central and regional government impose administrative sanctions for breaches of Articles 5 and 6. If the discrimination happens once you are employed, negotiation and mediation steps are on the labour dispute mediation guide.

What free help is there for job seekers over 40?

Minister of Manpower Regulation 18/2024 on domestic job placement provides labour market information, career guidance and counselling, and job matching (Article 26). Career counselling covers changing careers, changing jobs, education or training, retirement and starting a business (Article 34). If you are not placed, you can be offered guidance again with a recommendation for training, self-employment or a business (Article 35). Start by registering on SIAPkerja for a SIAPkerja-ID, free of charge (Articles 36 and 43).

How can I prove work experience if my diploma is in another field?

Experience can be tested through a competency test at a Professional Certification Body (LSP) licensed by BNSP. Government Regulation 10/2018 Article 1 defines work-competence certification as issuing a certificate through a competency test based on national competency standards (SKKNI), international or special standards. Choose an LSP marked Lisensi Aktif in the BNSP directory with a scheme that fits your work, and make sure the certificate can be checked on BNSP's verification page. Ask the LSP directly about fees and dates.

Can people over 40 still work abroad?

It depends on the route. Law 18/2017 Article 5 sets only a minimum age of 18 for migrant workers; any upper age limit is set per route and destination. The route pages in KarirAman's work-abroad section list the age limits we have verified. Do not trust intermediaries who promise to get around official age limits, and check vacancies on SISKOP2MI.

What are the warning signs of 'no age limit' job ads that ask for money?

Jobs open to all ages are welcome, but still check for requests for money. The Ministry of Manpower lists requests to transfer money for admin, training or uniforms as signs of a fake job, and says genuine recruitment never charges applicants. Minister of Manpower Regulation 18/2024 also bars private placement agencies, job portals and school job centres (BKK) from charging job seekers placement fees. Paste the ad into Check a job before you apply.

Practical steps for job hunting after 40

  • Register on SIAPkerja to get a SIAPkerja-ID, free of charge.
  • Ask a job counsellor (Pengantar Kerja) at the manpower office for career guidance or counselling.
  • Turn your work experience into a competency certificate through a BNSP-licensed LSP.
  • Keep any ad that sets an age limit without a job-related reason, as evidence if you want to report it.
  • Refuse any job that asks for money for admin, training or uniforms.

Which official channels can I use?

The official channels for finding work and reporting discrimination are the Ministry of Manpower's Karirhub and complaint channel, plus your district manpower office. You can use them directly, without intermediaries.

If you have just been laid off, see also severance pay and dismissal and BPJS employment social security. For talks with your employer, see labour dispute mediation.

Not legal advice. For your own case, contact the official channels listed.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a maximum age for applying for jobs in Indonesia?

Law 13/2003 sets no general maximum age. Manpower Circular M/6/HK.04/V/2025 allows age requirements only where there is a special need, under these conditions: jobs whose nature genuinely affects a person's ability, and/or a requirement that does not remove or reduce job opportunities. Some special routes, such as working abroad, have their own age limits set by their rules.

A job ad sets an age limit of 25 for an admin role. Is that a breach?

A general age cap with no clear job-related reason goes against point 3 of Manpower Circular M/6/HK.04/V/2025. Each case is judged on its facts, so ask what about the job makes the limit necessary. Keep the ad as evidence and report it through the Ministry of Manpower complaint channel or your local manpower office.

Do manpower office job counselling services cost anything?

Minister of Manpower Regulation 18/2024 says SIAPkerja account registration is free, and bars job fair organisers, private placement agencies, job portals and school job centres (BKK) from charging job seekers, with an exception for certain positions at private agencies. If anyone asks for money in the name of a manpower office, do not pay and report it.

Who wrote and reviewed this page?

Written by KarirAman editorial team Published Updated

Prepared with AI assistance. Checked against official sources and approved for publication by Kaiser Khan (editor). Approval date: .

Sources

The facts on this page come from these sources. Dates show when we opened them.

  1. Surat Edaran Menteri Ketenagakerjaan Nomor M/6/HK.04/V/2025 tentang Larangan Diskriminasi dalam Proses Rekrutmen Tenaga Kerja JDIH Kementerian Ketenagakerjaan · SE Menaker M/6/HK.04/V/2025 · accessed
  2. Undang-Undang Nomor 13 Tahun 2003 tentang Ketenagakerjaan JDIH BPK RI (peraturan.bpk.go.id) · UU 13/2003 · accessed
  3. Undang-Undang Nomor 6 Tahun 2023 tentang Penetapan Perppu Nomor 2 Tahun 2022 tentang Cipta Kerja menjadi Undang-Undang Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id) · UU 6/2023 · accessed
  4. Peraturan Menteri Ketenagakerjaan Nomor 18 Tahun 2024 tentang Penempatan Tenaga Kerja Dalam Negeri JDIH Kementerian Ketenagakerjaan · Permenaker 18/2024 · accessed
  5. Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 10 Tahun 2018 tentang Badan Nasional Sertifikasi Profesi Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id) · PP 10/2018 · accessed
  6. BNSP: daftar Lembaga Sertifikasi Profesi Badan Nasional Sertifikasi Profesi · accessed
  7. BNSP: Sistem Verifikasi Sertifikat Kompetensi Kerja Elektronik Badan Nasional Sertifikasi Profesi · accessed
  8. Undang-Undang Nomor 18 Tahun 2017 tentang Pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id) · UU 18/2017 · accessed
  9. Ini 5 ciri-ciri lowongan kerja palsu versi Kemnaker Republika · official statement via media · accessed
  10. DPR Sahkan UU Pelindungan Ketenagakerjaan (emedia DPR RI, 7 Oktober 2026) Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat RI (emedia) · accessed
  11. Menaker Ungkap Poin Penting UU Pelindungan Ketenagakerjaan yang Wajib Diketahui Pekerja Kementerian Ketenagakerjaan RI · accessed
How to cite

KarirAman (2026). Working over 40: age limits in job ads. Updated 8 October 2026. https://kariraman.com/en/workers-rights/workers-over-40/

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