Can i collect the visa on the afternoon of the 24th or would I have to collect on the 25th?

Alice, I think you need to apply for a L type with the help of qualified tour agencies in Japan. If your family can sends you an invitation letter, you needn't provide return air ticket and hotel booking. However, you still need to provide your passport, finished application form, a recent passport photo and your entry record for Japan on your passport. Normally, it takes four working days to deal with your application. However, your application needs to submitted by the tour agencies. So you may ask the agency how long it takes. If you have time, I think you may apply from the CVASC branch that has the jurisdiction in your area in Australia. It's easier. You submit all required documents to the CVASC branch and then wait for four days to pick it up.