Mitchell Johnson subsequently played for the Australian Under-19 side that toured England in 1999 but unfortunately recurrent back injuries hampered his prospects. He recovered to start his first-class career two years later, when he was selected to play state cricket for his native Queensland.

In September 2005, he was in the Australia A cricket team that toured Pakistan. In December 2005, Johnson was selected for the Australian One Day International team, making his debut against New Zealand in Christchurch, with chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns justifying the selection on the grounds of grooming players for the future.