- Australia’s Working Holiday Visa for Japan — the easiest entry route
- Australia-Japan tax treaty explained (no double taxation)
- Cost of living comparison: Australia vs Japan in 2025
- What to do with your superannuation when you leave
- Step-by-step first 30 days in Japan for Australians
- Banking setup: Wise, Japanese accounts, and keeping Australian banks open
Australians can enter Japan on a Working Holiday Visa (ages 18–30), valid for 12 months with the right to work. For long-term residence, the most common route is employer-sponsored work visa. Japan is significantly cheaper than Australia — Sydney rent vs Tokyo rent is roughly 2:1 in Japan’s favour.
Australia and Japan have one of the strongest bilateral relationships in Asia. Japan is Australia’s second-largest export market, and Australians are one of the most common expat groups in Japan. You have specific advantages: a well-established Working Holiday scheme, a bilateral tax treaty, and strong cultural familiarity between the two countries.
Visa Options for Australians
Working Holiday Visa — Your Best Entry Point
Australia and Japan have a long-running Working Holiday Agreement. Australian citizens aged 18–30 can apply:
- Duration: 12 months
- Work rights: Full work authorization — any job
- Extensions: Not automatically renewable, but many Australians convert to work visas
- Application: Apply at the Japanese Embassy in Canberra or consulates in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
- Processing: 1–4 weeks
- Cost: Around AUD $0–50 (fees vary)
- Funds required: AUD $2,500 equivalent
Age limit note: Australia’s WHV to Japan is ages 18–30. Some sources indicate extensions to 35 — check current eligibility at the Japanese Embassy.
Work Visa (Employer-Sponsored)
The long-term route for Australian professionals:
- Secure a job offer from a Japanese employer
- Employer applies for Certificate of Eligibility
- Apply for visa at Japanese Embassy in Australia
- Enter Japan, collect Residence Card at airport
Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa
Australians with strong qualifications and salaries may qualify for the HSP points-based visa, which fast-tracks permanent residency to 1–3 years. Check your points at the official METI calculator.
Australia vs Japan: Cost of Living (2025)
| Expense | Sydney | Tokyo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR central) | AUD $3,200–5,000/mo | AUD $900–1,400/mo | Japan ~60% cheaper |
| Groceries (1 person) | AUD $400–600/mo | AUD $250–400/mo | Japan cheaper overall |
| Dining out (casual) | AUD $20–35 | AUD $8–15 | Japan much cheaper |
| Healthcare | AUD $0 (Medicare) | AUD $80–150/mo (NHI premiums) | Medicare doesn’t apply overseas |
| Public transit | AUD $200/mo (Opal) | AUD $80–110/mo | Japan cheaper |
| Total estimate | AUD $4,500–7,500/mo | AUD $1,800–3,000/mo | Tokyo ~50% cheaper |
With the AUD currently around ¥95–100/AUD, Australians have excellent purchasing power in Japan.
Superannuation When Moving to Japan
Your super stays in Australia. You cannot access it simply because you’re moving to Japan — you must meet a condition of release (reaching preservation age: 60 for most Australians, retiring, etc.).
Options while living in Japan:
- Leave it where it is — it continues to grow tax-deferred in Australia
- Consolidate funds before leaving — fewer accounts = lower fees
- Keep making voluntary contributions — you can contribute from overseas income to maintain Australian super growth
If you’re never returning to Australia: At preservation age (60+), you can access your super regardless of where you live. Consult an Australian financial advisor about cross-border superannuation taxation.
Super and Japan taxes: Japan taxes Australian-source super income when you become a Japanese tax resident in some circumstances. The Australia-Japan Tax Treaty (see below) is relevant here — get specialist advice if your super balance is significant.
Australia-Japan Tax Treaty
Australia and Japan have a Double Tax Agreement (DTA) that prevents you from being taxed on the same income in both countries.
Key points:
- Japanese residents pay income tax in Japan on Japanese-sourced income
- Australian-sourced income (rental income from Australian property, dividends from Australian shares, super income) has treaty provisions
- You generally file in both countries but receive a credit in one for tax paid in the other
Australian tax residency: When you move to Japan, you may become a non-resident for Australian tax purposes — this affects your tax rates on Australian income. Test for residency using the ATO’s online tool.
File with the ATO: Even as a non-resident, you may need to lodge an Australian tax return if you have Australian-source income.
Banking for Australians in Japan
Keep Your Australian Bank Account Open
Critical: Do not close your Australian bank accounts. Reopening them as a non-resident is difficult. Maintain at least one account — ING Australia and Up Bank have been more flexible with Australians overseas.
Best Setup for Australians in Japan
| Account | Use |
|---|---|
| Wise | AUD → JPY conversion at real rates; holds multiple currencies |
| Japanese bank (Japan Post Bank) | Daily JPY spending, salary receipt, bills |
| Australian bank (kept open) | Australian bills, super contributions, return trips |
Convert AUD to JPY at the real exchange rate — Wise charges ~0.5% vs 2–4% at banks. Essential for Australians transferring from Australia.
Open Wise Free →ATM Access in Japan
- Australian cards work at Japan Post Bank ATMs and 7-Eleven ATMs
- Fee is typically AUD $5 + 1.75% foreign transaction fee with most Australian banks
- Solution: Use Wise to top up a Wise card and withdraw from Japanese ATMs with minimal fees
First 30 Days in Japan for Australians
Days 1–3: Arrival
- Collect Residence Card at airport immigration (long-term visa holders)
- Get a Japanese SIM immediately — Rakuten Mobile or IIJmio both offer English sign-up. See our SIM card guide
- Check into accommodation
Days 3–7: Register
- City hall (区役所): Register your address within 14 days — mandatory
- Enroll in National Health Insurance (NHI) at the same visit
- Note: Australians lose Medicare coverage the moment they leave Australia for extended periods (12+ months)
Week 2: Financial Setup
- Open Japan Post Bank account — most accessible for new arrivals. Full guide: opening a bank account in Japan
- Set up Wise for AUD→JPY transfers
- Set up PayPay for cashless payments. Guide: PayPay for foreigners
Week 3–4: Working Holiday Essentials
- If you’re teaching English, sign up with Nova, Interac, or similar. See: English teaching salaries in Japan
- Apply for Rakuten Card (most foreigner-friendly credit card). Guide: Rakuten Card for foreigners
Healthcare for Australians in Japan
Medicare doesn’t work in Japan. Once you’re enrolled in Japan’s National Health Insurance (NHI), you have coverage for:
- GP visits: ~AUD $10–25 out of pocket
- Specialist visits: ~AUD $20–50 out of pocket
- Hospital stays: capped at ~AUD $700–900/month maximum
For travel back to Australia: NHI doesn’t cover you in Australia. Get travel insurance for Australian trips. SafetyWing covers expats for trips back home from ~$45/month.
Australian-Specific Tips
HECS/HELP debt: You must continue repaying your HECS debt based on your worldwide income if you lodge Australian tax returns. The ATO now has international enforcement agreements. Check the ATO website for compulsory repayment thresholds.
Voting obligations: Australian citizens must vote in federal elections even when overseas. Register for overseas voting at the Australian Electoral Commission.
Renewing your Australian passport: The Australian Embassy in Tokyo handles passport renewals. Book appointments well in advance — waiting times can be 6–8 weeks.
Australian community in Japan: Australia has a well-established expat community in Japan. The Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (ANZCCJ) holds regular events in Tokyo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Australians get a Working Holiday Visa for Japan? Yes — the Australia-Japan Working Holiday scheme is well-established. Australian citizens aged 18–30 can apply at the Japanese Embassy. The visa allows 12 months of stay with full work rights.
Do Australians pay tax in Japan? If you’re a resident in Japan (generally, living there for more than 1 year), you pay Japanese income tax on your Japanese income. The Australia-Japan tax treaty prevents double taxation on most income types. You may still need to lodge an Australian tax return for Australian-source income.
Is Japan cheaper than Australia? Yes, significantly. Rent, food, and transport in Tokyo are roughly 40–60% cheaper than Sydney or Melbourne. With a strong Australian dollar, purchasing power in Japan is excellent.
What happens to Medicare when I move to Japan? Medicare coverage ends when you leave Australia for an extended period (generally 12+ months). You must enroll in Japan’s National Health Insurance once you register your address at city hall.