Temporary Protection Visa (subclass 785)

Short-Term Protection for Asylum Seekers in Australia

The Subclass 785 Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) is a three-year visa for individuals who arrived in Australia illegally by sea or air and seek protection due to persecution or significant harm in their home country. It is part of Australia’s onshore protection program and offers temporary safety and access to essential services.

Key Benefits

• Stay in Australia for 3 Years
  Live, work, and study temporarily in Australia.
• Access to Government Services
  Includes Medicare, Centrelink, and settlement support
• Work and Study Rights
  Full access to employment and education opportunities.
• Pathway to Resolution of Status Visa (Subclass 851)
  Eligible TPV holders may apply for permanent residency
• Family Inclusion
  You may be able to propose family members under certain conditions.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for Subclass 785, you must meet the following:

General Requirements

• Be in Australia and have arrived without a valid visa (e.g., by boat or air).
• Engage Australia’s protection obligations as a refugee or under complementary protection
• Meet health, character, identity, and security
• Not be barred from applying for protection

Protection Obligations

You must demonstrate one of the following:

Refugee Status

• You fear persecution due to:
  • Race
  • Religion
  • Nationality
  • Political opinion
  • Membership of a particular social group

Complementary Protection

• You face significant harm if returned, such as:
  • Arbitrary deprivation of life
  • Death penalty
  • Torture
  • Cruel or degrading treatment

Visa Conditions

• Temporary Stay
  Valid for 3 years from the date of grant
• No Travel to Country of Origin
  Travel to the country you sought protection from may affect your visa status.
• Apply for Subsequent Visa Before Expiry
  You must apply for a new TPV or SHEV before your current visa expires
• No Automatic Pathway to PR
  TPV does not directly lead to permanent residency unless eligible for Subclass 851

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)