What Happens If You Fail the Australian Citizenship Test?
A calm, plain-English guide to another appointment, the three-appointment rule, and how to prepare.
First: an unsuccessful result is not the end
An unsuccessful result can be stressful, especially if you missed one of the five Australian values questions. The Department of Home Affairs will continue processing your application and book another appointment for you at no extra cost.
Home Affairs specifically states that an unsuccessful test does not affect your visa and that you can continue living in Australia.
What happens right after you fail
- Home Affairs continues processing your citizenship application.
- The department books another appointment for you.
- The new appointment is provided at no extra cost.
- Appointment wait times vary; follow the details in your appointment letter.
- You sit the same style of test: 20 multiple-choice questions in English, including 5 Australian values questions.
The three-appointment rule, explained
The Department of Home Affairs says that if you do not pass the test after three appointments, it may refuse your citizenship application.
The wording matters: may refuse does not mean every application is automatically refused. Follow the correspondence for your individual application and use official Home Affairs information if you need to understand a decision.
What if I fail the Australian citizenship test 3 times?
- Home Affairs may refuse the current application.
- Your visa and permanent resident status are unaffected.
- Read any decision notice carefully and follow the review or next-step information it provides.
- Check official guidance before making another application.
How to prepare for your resit
- Identify what you got wrong. Most people fail on one of three areas: Australian values, government and the law, or the Constitution.
- Focus on the 5 values questions. They are non-negotiable — all 5 must be correct.
- Re-read the testable section of Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond.
- Practise full 20-question mock tests under timed conditions until you consistently score 18+ out of 20.
- Use the mistake book — it groups every question you've got wrong so you can drill the weak spots.
- Sleep well and arrive early so you can use the full test time calmly.
When can I sit the resit?
Appointment wait times vary. Home Affairs will send you another appointment and says to follow the instructions in your appointment letter if you need to reschedule. See the official citizenship test guidance (last checked 24 August 2026) for the current rules.
FAQ
What happens if you fail the Australian citizenship test?
The Department of Home Affairs says an unsuccessful test does not affect your visa or your ability to continue living in Australia. It will book another appointment at no extra cost; appointment wait times vary.
What happens if I do not pass after three citizenship test appointments?
The Department of Home Affairs says it may refuse your citizenship application if you do not pass after three appointments. 'May refuse' is not the same as an automatic refusal; follow the instructions and decision notices sent for your application.
What if I fail the Australian citizenship test 3 times?
The Department of Home Affairs may refuse the current application if you do not pass after three appointments. If that happens, read the decision notice and use official Home Affairs guidance before deciding whether to make a new application.
How soon can I resit the citizenship test after failing?
The Department of Home Affairs says appointment wait times vary. It will send the details of the next appointment; follow your appointment letter if you need to reschedule.
Do I have to pay the fee again if I fail?
The Department of Home Affairs says it will book another test appointment at no extra cost after an unsuccessful test.
Will failing the test affect my visa or permanent residency?
No. Failing the citizenship test does not affect your permanent resident status or any visa you hold. It only delays your Australian citizenship until you pass.
What is the pass mark for the Australian citizenship test?
You must score at least 75% overall (15 out of 20) and answer all 5 Australian values questions correctly. Missing even one values question means an automatic fail, regardless of your overall score.
What is the best way to prepare for a resit?
Review the testable section of Our Common Bond, focus on the topics that tripped you up, and take full 20-question mock tests under timed conditions until you consistently score 18+ out of 20 with all 5 values questions correct.