The Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) Programme
What is it?
What are the positions?
Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs)
ALTs are placed mainly in schools and Boards of Education. ALTs assist and team teach with Japanese teachers of language (JTL) and are thus involved in the preparation of teaching materials and in extracurricular activities like English clubs or sports teams. More than 90% of JET participants are appointed as ALTs and the good news is, you don’t need any Japanese ability!
Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs)
Those with a functional command of the Japanese language can work as CIRs, placed in local government offices or international exchange organisations. CIRs work for local government assisting with international exchange activities in a variety of ways that may include translation, interpretation, editing and producing pamphlets and advising and planning international activities.
How do I apply?
Applications for the JET Programme are accepted by the Embassy of Japan in Canberra. For application details, forms and key dates, please refer to the Embassy website directly here.
(Applications usually open around September each year with the submission deadline usually early November.)