"(The ambassador) is expected to arrive in Canberra during the weekend," Indonesian foreign affairs spokesman Desra Percaya said.
Ambassador Thayeb was recalled from Canberra in March at the height of the row over 42 Papuans who were granted asylum in January. Indonesia said the decision to give the protection visas was tantamount to supporting Papua’s independence movement, a claim Mr Howard denied.
The development comes just weeks before Australian Prime Minister John Howard and the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono hold talks over a proposed new security treaty.