Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from Japan to Australia
Japan’s income tax burden is one of the highest in Asia: national rates of 5–45% stack with a flat 10% municipal tax, creating a combined rate of up to 55%. Add mandatory social insurance (health ~10% split, pension ~18.3% split) and the total employment cost is extremely high. Australia taxes income at 0–45% plus a 2% Medicare levy — effectively 47% maximum — with no additional municipal layer. At $100K USD: Japan takes $38,500 versus Australia’s $22,000 — saving $16,500/year ($1,375/month). Japan has a departure tax on financial assets exceeding ¥100M (~$670K USD) when leaving: deemed disposal at market value on departure. Growing corridor: Japanese–Australian Working Holiday scheme, mining and FIFO workers, finance and tech professionals. Australia wins on take-home pay across almost all income levels.
National + Municipal
National 5–45% + 10% municipal flat
Income Tax + Medicare
Progressive 0–45% + 2% Medicare levy
At $100,000 income:
That is $1,375/month back in your pocket!
| Income | JP Tax | AU Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $19,500 | $7,500 | $12,000 | $120,000 |
| $75,000 | $28,000 | $15,000 | $13,000 | $130,000 |
| $100,000 | $38,500 | $22,000 | $16,500 | $165,000 |
| $150,000 | $61,500 | $40,000 | $21,500 | $215,000 |
| $250,000 | $112,500 | $88,000 | $24,500 | $245,000 |
| $500,000 | $237,500 | $185,000 | $52,500 | $525,000 |
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Work Remotely Between Japan & Australia →Japan levies two layers of income tax: national income tax (shotoku-zei) at progressive rates of 5–45%, and residence tax (jumin-zei) at a flat 10% charged by your prefecture and municipality. Unlike Australia which has a single federal rate, every Japanese resident pays this flat 10% on top of national tax. At ¥10M income (~$65K USD): national tax ~20%, municipal tax 10% = 30% combined income tax. At ¥20M (~$130K USD): national ~35%, municipal 10% = 45%. At ¥30M (~$200K USD) national ~45%, municipal 10% = 55% combined. The municipal tax is assessed on the prior year’s income and billed in four instalments the following year, creating a significant cash-flow obligation when you first earn high income in Japan.
Japan introduced a departure tax in 2015 for individuals holding financial assets exceeding ¥100 million (approximately $670K USD at current exchange rates). If you leave Japan holding shares, bonds, derivatives, or other qualifying financial assets above this threshold, those assets are treated as sold at market value on your departure date and any unrealised gains are taxed at 15.315% (national) + 5% (local) = approximately 20%. The tax does not apply to real estate, business assets, or life insurance policies. It is designed to prevent high-net-worth individuals from emigrating to avoid Japanese capital gains tax on investment portfolios built up during Japanese residency.
Both systems are compulsory retirement savings vehicles but work very differently. Australia’s superannuation requires employers to contribute 11.5% (rising to 12% by 2025) of ordinary time earnings into a worker’s individual super fund. Earnings inside super are taxed at 15% (concessional rate) and withdrawals after age 60 are tax-free for most people. Japan’s kosei nenkin (employee pension) is a defined-benefit style system where both employer and employee contribute ~9.15% each; the eventual benefit depends on years of contribution and average salary. Australian superannuation provides more individual ownership and investment choice. Japan’s pension provides more predictable government-backed income. For internationally mobile workers, Australia’s super is generally more portable.
The Japan–Australia Working Holiday scheme allows citizens aged 18–30 (with one extension available to Australians going to Japan) to live and work in the other country for up to 12 months. It is popular for younger workers exploring the other country’s culture and job market. For career professionals, more relevant pathways include Australia’s skilled migration stream (Subclass 189/190 visas), employer-sponsored Subclass 482 visas, and Japan’s Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa which fast-tracks permanent residency for qualifying professionals. Australia’s mining and resources sector attracts Japanese engineers and geologists through employer-sponsored visas. Japanese finance and tech professionals in Sydney and Melbourne typically arrive on 482 employer-sponsored visas.