Visa snapshot
Verified on 20 June 2026Work and study
- Work rights
- Paid work is allowed to support your holiday. Work in bars, cabarets, nightclubs, gambling venues and other businesses that affect public morals (the Entertainment Business Act) is not allowed. The visa is single entry, so you need a re-entry permit to leave and come back.
- Study rights
- Study and short courses are allowed alongside the working holiday.
Funds and health
- Funds required
- AUD 2,500 single, AUD 3,500 couple. A three-month bank statement no older than one month; credit-card balances are not accepted.
Extensions
- Further stay
- No extension
Quota or ballot
- Allocation
- Not capped (no limit)
- No ballot
Reciprocal healthcare
- Agreement in place
- No
- Private health insurance needed
On this page
Eligibility at a glance
- Passport: This route is for Australian citizens, so you must apply on a valid Australian passport.
- Age: You must be aged 18 to 30 when you apply, not when you travel.
- Funds: AUD 2,500 single, AUD 3,500 couple. A three-month bank statement no older than one month; credit-card balances are not accepted.
- Health: Must meet Japanese health requirements
Eligibility and conditions
Who can apply
Open to Australian citizens aged 18 to 30. You are advised to move area roughly every three months; prohibited work includes bars, nightclubs and pachinko parlours.
General conditions
The visa is free of charge and single entry. Annual caps, the length of stay and repeat-participation rules vary by nationality (see each route).
Length and stay
Initial stay is 6 months, then an extension is applied for in Japan, not a flat 12 months.
Repeat participation
Once in a lifetime only: the working holiday visa is issued just once, unlike the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Canada which now allow twice.
Annual allocation
Uncapped, unlike the UK (6,000), Ireland (800) and Canada (6,283).
Work conditions
Advised to move area roughly every three months; prohibited work under the Entertainment Business Act.
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the Japanese Government's official visa portal. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Apply Now →Get ready for Japan
Sort out the essentials before you arrive, from banking and mobile data to flights, accommodation and insurance.
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Essential setup
Banking
Open a local account soon after you arrive in Japan so you can get paid and skip foreign-card fees. Most banks let you start the application online before you land.
Mobile and connectivity
Set up a local number or eSIM in Japan for data and calls. The major networks have the widest coverage; budget MVNOs run on the same towers for less.
Plan and book your trip
Useful tools for arranging your insurance, flights and first accommodation.
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Skyscanner
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Hostelworld
Book your first nights in Japan. Hostels and budget stays.
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Your first-week checklist
The practical order of things for your first days. What to sort and where to go next.