Jakarta: A Jakarta court has ordered the Australian government to enter mediation over a $103 million class action on behalf of 115 Indonesians who were jailed in adult prisons and detention centres while still juveniles.

Australia had not been represented in previous hearings in the Central Jakarta District Court because the Australian government insisted it was not subject to its jurisdiction.

Indonesian children were jailed alongside hardened adult criminals in Australian jails for people smuggling offences after the Australian Federal Police used a now completely discredited method of taking wrist X-rays to determine their age.

The 115 plaintiffs were detained for between three months and almost three years in jails and detention centres across Australia.