The Japan working holiday visa: how Australians get it and find work in Tokyo

It costs nothing, takes about a week to process and you only get one shot at it. Here's how to make it count.

The short version

• Australians aged 18 to 30 can apply for Japan's working holiday visa. There's no visa fee and no annual cap for Australians [1][2].
• You must apply in person, in Australia, at the Japanese embassy or consulate that covers your state, with your original passport [1][3].
• You need proof of funds. The Melbourne consulate asks for A$2,500 if you've already paid for your flight, or A$4,000 if you only have a booking [1].
• The visa gives you six months from arrival. Extensions are possible but discretionary, and the visa is single-entry unless you get a re-entry permit [1].
• Holidaying is meant to be the main purpose. Work is allowed, but never at bars, cabarets, nightclubs or gambling venues [2].

Japan's working holiday visa at a glance

Australia was the first country to sign up to Japan's working holiday programme, in 1980 [2]. Plenty of countries have joined since, but the rules for Australians are still among the simplest.

A note on age: some working holiday programmes have raised their upper age limit to 35 in recent years. Japan's limit for Australians is still 30, according to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs as of November 2026 [2]. Don't leave it until your 31st birthday.

Where and how to apply

You apply to the Japanese mission that covers the state or territory you live in [3]:

• ACT: Embassy of Japan, Canberra
• NSW and NT: Consulate-General of Japan, Sydney
• Queensland: Consulate-General of Japan, Brisbane, or the Cairns office for the Cairns area
• WA: Consulate-General of Japan, Perth
• Victoria, Tasmania and SA: Consulate-General of Japan, Melbourne

Each office publishes its own checklist, and details such as the funds amount can differ, so check the page for your state before you book anything.

What to bring

The Melbourne consulate's list is a good guide to what you'll need [1]:

1. Your original passport. Copies aren't accepted, and the visa is a sticker in your passport.
2. The application form, signed, with a passport photo taken in the last six months and glued on, not stapled.
3. A CV on A4 covering your education and work history.
4. An outline of your planned activities in Japan, on the consulate's form.
5. A letter explaining why you want to go, including your interests, where you plan to travel and what you'll do.
6. A bank statement issued in the last month, in your name and showing your Australian address.
7. Your work contract, if you already have a job lined up in Japan.

Applications missing documents are turned away, and the office won't photocopy things for you [1]. The consulate also advises not buying your flight until the visa is approved [1], which sits a little awkwardly with the lower funds requirement for a paid ticket. A refundable fare is one way around it.

The rules once you're in Japan

Holiday first, work second

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is clear that the programme is mainly for holidays, with work allowed to top up your travel funds [2]. If you want a full-time career job, you need an employment visa instead [1].

Banned workplaces

Working holiday makers are strictly prohibited from working at bars, cabarets, nightclubs, gambling venues and other businesses affecting public morals. Doing so breaches Japan's immigration law and can lead to deportation [2]. If an employer is vague about what a "hostess" or "bar staff" role involves, walk away.

Six months, then maybe more

Your stay starts at six months from entry. You can apply for an extension at an immigration office in Japan before your current period runs out, but it isn't guaranteed [1].

Leaving and coming back

The visa is single-entry. If you want to pop home for Christmas or visit Seoul, get a re-entry permit from immigration first, or your visa is cancelled when you leave [1].

Admin on arrival

Like other mid- to long-term residents, you'll get a residence card and must register your address at your ward office within 14 days of moving in [4]. Registration then leads to your My Number, health insurance and a bank account. Our guide to moving to Tokyo explains the order that works.

Finding work in Tokyo

What pays

Tokyo's minimum wage rises to ¥1,280 an hour from 1 October 2026 [5]. At about ¥110 to the Aussie dollar, that's roughly A$11.60, so most working holiday jobs won't make you rich. Think of the work as funding your travel, not your savings account. Our cost of living in Tokyo guide shows how that stacks up against rent.

The jobs Australians tend to do

We couldn't find official figures on what working holiday makers do in Tokyo, but these are the common paths:

• English teaching and tutoring, from conversation schools to private lessons. Native-speaker English is your biggest asset.
• Hospitality and cafes, especially in tourist areas and international hotels. Some Japanese makes a big difference.
• Hostels and guesthouses, sometimes offering a bed as part of the deal.
• Ski seasons, which many Aussies combine with Tokyo. The resorts are outside the city, so plan your winter around them.
• Office, events and translation work, if you have Japanese language skills or a professional background.

How to find it

1. Polish a Japanese-style CV. Many employers expect a standard format with a photo. Have an English version too.
2. Use the job boards aimed at foreigners and English speakers, and read the role description carefully against the banned workplace rules.
3. Ask your accommodation. Share houses and hostels often hear about jobs first.
4. Try the public employment service. The Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners, run under the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, is in Yotsuya Tower near Yotsuya Station [6]. Its published eligibility list focuses on work visa and student statuses, so ask whether they can help on a working holiday.
5. Network. Footy training, language exchanges and Aussie meetups lead to work more often than you'd think.
6. Get your bank account and phone number sorted early, because employers need somewhere to pay you [7].

The fastest route to leads is other Aussies who arrived six months ahead of you. Join Cooee Japan, our Facebook group for Australians in Japan, and ask who's hiring.

Before you sign anything

Make sure you get a written contract or job conditions in a language you understand. Check the hourly rate, shifts, transport allowance and how you're paid. Don't start work on a tourist entry: tourists may not do any work, paid or unpaid [3].

Get the home side sorted too

Six months to a year in Japan is long enough to matter back home. Tell your super fund and bank you're overseas, keep your Australian phone number for two-factor logins, and think about Medicare. Our leaving Australia checklist covers the lot.

Sources

1. Working holiday visa – Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne
2. Working Holiday Programmes in Japan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
3. Visa Enquiries & FAQ – Embassy of Japan in Australia
4. Resident registration – Toshima City
5. Tokyo minimum wage revision – Inagi City
6. Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners – Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
7. Setting up life in Japan: bank, SIM, health insurance and residence card (2026) – Tokyo International Meetup

Keep reading

• Moving to Tokyo from Australia: the complete guide
• Renting in Tokyo as an Australian
• Aussie life in Tokyo
• Leaving Australia: the checklist before you go