What happens if you fail the Australian citizenship test?
Not passing the citizenship test doesn't end your application. Most applicants who don't pass on their first attempt are given another opportunity to sit the test. Here's what the process actually looks like.
Your application stays active
Failing the test doesn't cancel your citizenship application. Your application remains open, and the Department will be in contact about next steps. You don't need to re-apply or re-pay the application fee.
You'll be given another opportunity
The Department of Home Affairs can offer you further test appointments as part of your existing application. How many attempts you can make, and how quickly re-appointments are scheduled, depends on the Department's current processes and your individual circumstances.
Check the Department's website for current information on resitting the test, as these procedures can change.
What to do straight after failing
Do not rush into another attempt with the same preparation. Take a short, practical reset:
- Write down what went wrong while it is still fresh
- Check whether the issue was the values questions, general knowledge, English wording, nerves, or rushing
- Go back to the matching section of Our Common Bond
- Practise without notes and under time pressure
- Do not sit again until you are consistently passing with room to spare
The goal is not just to recognise practice-test answers. The real test can phrase ideas differently, so you need to understand the content.
Why people fail — and what to do about it
Most test failures come down to one of three things:
1. Getting a values question wrong
The test requires all five Australian values questions to be answered correctly, regardless of your overall score. You can get 19 out of 20 and still fail if one of those wrong answers was a values question. If this happened to you, read Australian citizenship test values questions explained and spend serious time on the values chapter in Our Common Bond before your next attempt.
2. Not reading Our Common Bond thoroughly enough
Every question in the test comes directly from this booklet. Third-party summaries and apps can help for revision, but there's no substitute for reading the actual source. If you skipped sections or only skimmed it, go back and read it properly.
3. Nerves or time pressure
45 minutes for 20 questions is plenty of time if you've prepared, but test anxiety can slow people down. Simulate the real test experience by doing full timed practice tests without any notes — this builds familiarity with the format and makes the real thing feel less daunting.
How to review your result
After the test, you'll know which questions you got wrong. Use that information to go directly to the relevant sections of Our Common Bond and understand why your answer was incorrect.
Don't just re-memorise the right answer — understand the principle behind it, especially for values questions where the wording varies across different questions.
Use a simple review table:
| What went wrong | What to do next |
|---|---|
| Values question wrong | Re-read the Australian values section and practise values-only questions |
| History or government question wrong | Re-read that chapter in Our Common Bond and make short notes |
| Misread the question | Slow down and read every option before choosing |
| Ran out of time | Do full timed tests until 45 minutes feels comfortable |
| Got nervous | Practise in test conditions: quiet room, no notes, no pausing |
Getting ready for your next attempt
Before your next appointment:
- Re-read Our Common Bond in full, not just the sections you struggled with
- Do multiple timed practice tests and check every wrong answer against the booklet
- Make sure you're consistently hitting 15 or more correct, with all five values questions right, before you sit again
- Spend extra time on questions you find "obvious" — these are often where people rush and make careless mistakes
- Sleep properly the night before; last-minute cramming is less useful than being calm and alert
For a structured preparation plan, see how to prepare for the Australian citizenship test and use the self-assessment checklist to gauge your readiness honestly.
When to ask for support
If you failed because you had trouble understanding the wording, using the computer, hearing instructions, or managing a disability or medical condition, check whether support is available for your next appointment.
The Department can provide support in some circumstances, but you should raise the issue before the appointment rather than on the day. Your appointment letter and ImmiAccount messages are the best place to start.
Can you reschedule if you haven't sat yet?
Rescheduling is different from resitting after a failed test. If you haven't sat the test yet but need to move your appointment, see can you reschedule your Australian citizenship test for how that works.
Always confirm resit procedures with the Department of Home Affairs, as processes can change.
Frequently asked questions
Does failing the Australian citizenship test cancel your application?
No. Your application usually remains active and the Department will advise you about the next step.
Can you resit the Australian citizenship test?
Most applicants who do not pass are given another opportunity to sit the test as part of the same application.
What should you study after failing the citizenship test?
Review the questions you missed, re-read the relevant parts of Our Common Bond, and spend extra time on the Australian values section.