Anderson was picked for the scholarship program in 2010. When he was 16, he moved to western Sydney to spend a season playing for GWS's TAC Cup team, while being educated at Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview. He struggled to settle into his new school, got homesick and returned home mid-year. He was selected in the 2011 All-Australian under-18 team after an outstanding NAB AFL Under-18s championships.
Hawthorn
Anderson was pre-listed by Greater Western Sydney and traded to Hawthorn for 2008 premiership player Stephen Gilham. Anderson made his debut for the Hawks in round 1 of the 2013 AFL season against Geelong. He was the round 3 AFL Rising Star nominee for 2013 following his performance against in which he kicked his first goal. After an injury layoff, he played for Hawthorn's VFL-affiliate, Box Hill, until his form saw his return to the Hawthorn line-up in round 22. He played as the substitute and kicked a vital goal against in both round 23 and the qualifying final. He was one of the better players in the Box Hill premiership team in the 2013 Grand Final. Anderson had a delayed start to 2014 pre-season after contracting pneumonia while on end of season leave in Darwin. He had been wading at Howard Swamps, southeast of Darwin, in search of geese. He resumed training with the club in January. In the first game of the VFL season against Williamstown, Anderson hurt his shoulder that eventually was operated on and he was out for the rest of the season. Anderson who was contracted until the end of 2016 requested a trade for a chance to move to another club and get more opportunities for regular senior football. The small forward managed only four games for the 2015 season.
North Melbourne
On 16 October 2015, brokered a deal for the Roos to receive Anderson and picks No.38 and 40 while got picks No.15 and 55. After Round 1 in the 2016 AFL season, Anderson injured his hamstring but was able to play the last 9 games of 2016. Injuries continued to hammer Anderson's progress in the AFL, but as he has got older he has managed to spring large sequences of games together. In 2018 he managed to play 21 games in the season.
Family
Jed's older brother Joe Anderson played 17 games for Carlton between 2007 and 2010. Anderson's first child, his son Elijah, was born in Darwin in April 2013. A second son, Jasiah was born in January 2015.
