Temporary Protection Visa 785 (TPV): temporary safety, now with a permanent pathway.
The subclass 785 Temporary Protection Visa is a 3-year temporary visa for certain people who arrived in Australia without authorisation and are found to engage Australia's protection obligations. Most TPV holders who arrived before 14 February 2023 are now eligible for permanent residence through the Resolution of Status visa (851).
Temporary protection - and now, a permanent pathway for most.
The Temporary Protection Visa (subclass 785) was introduced for people who arrived in Australia without authorisation - sometimes called the legacy caseload - and who are found to genuinely engage Australia's protection obligations. The visa is granted for three years and allows the holder to live, work and study in Australia during that period.
In February 2023, the Australian Government announced a major policy change: most people who held or had applied for a TPV and arrived before 14 February 2023 would be eligible for a permanent Resolution of Status visa (subclass 851). This change was intended to provide permanent protection to up to 20,000 people who had been living on temporary status for years.
If you arrived before 14 February 2023 and hold or held a TPV - you may already be eligible for the permanent 851 visa. In many cases, pending TPV applications have been automatically converted to 851 applications. We can tell you quickly which situation you are in and what steps, if any, you need to take.
The legacy caseload - who is in this group.
The TPV applies to the "legacy caseload" - people who arrived in Australia without a valid visa (most commonly by sea) before certain cut-off dates, and who are found to genuinely need protection. The Australian Government used the TPV as a way of providing protection while maintaining a temporary status that required renewal every three years.
For new arrivals after 14 February 2023 who arrive without authorisation, the situation is different again. The policy landscape for post-February 2023 unauthorised arrivals remains restricted.
How long a TPV decision can take.
Protection applications are detailed and the timeframes can be long. As a general guide, a Temporary Protection Visa (subclass 785) decision has typically taken in the region of 12 to 24 months, though the exact time depends heavily on the complexity of your case. Security, character and health checks are usually run in sequence rather than all at once, which can extend the overall time. These are operational timeframes only - they change, and we re-check the current position when we act for you.
Timeline at a glance. A 785 decision has generally taken around 12 to 24 months, depending on the complexity of your case. If granted, the 785 is valid for 3 years (a temporary status), after which most holders who arrived before 14 February 2023 may be eligible for the permanent Resolution of Status visa (subclass 851) rather than another temporary visa. These ranges are indicative, not a promise about your individual case.
| Stage | What it involves (indicative) |
|---|---|
| Lodgement and assessment | Your protection claims are assessed against Australia's protection obligations. This is the longest stage and is where most of the 12 to 24 months sits. |
| Health, character and security | Usually run in sequence. A delay or issue at one check can hold up the others, which is one reason timeframes vary so much between cases. |
| Decision and validity | If the 785 is granted, it runs for 3 years. If you arrived before 14 February 2023, the permanent 851 pathway may apply rather than a further temporary visa. |
What a TPV will cost you. Government application charges and our professional fees depend on your circumstances - we quote in writing before you commit. See how we quote. If cost is a barrier, free community legal centres and community-organisation assistance may also be available to people seeking protection - we can point you to them.
TPV questions answered.
Where to from here.
Written and reviewed by Brian Chan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217857)
Visa Store Australia, Perth · Last reviewed June 2026 · Verify on the MARA register · General information only, not personal migration advice.
Not sure where you stand on the TPV / 851 pathway?
The transition from temporary to permanent protection is important and the steps differ depending on your specific situation. We can clarify your position quickly.