What Happens If You Fail the Australian Citizenship Test?

If you've failed the Australian citizenship test, or you're worried you might, take a breath. You are not alone, and it is nowhere near the end of the road. On any single sitting, roughly one in three test-takers don't pass. Almost everyone gets there in the end, and every applicant is allowed to try again.

Failing Is More Common Than You Think

A lot of people assume almost everyone passes on the first try. That was closer to true before November 2020, when per-sitting pass rates sat around 80–87%. Since mandatory values questions arrived, a single sitting has become noticeably harder to pass.

According to figures the Department of Home Affairs gave the Senate (data to November 2023), the per-sitting pass rate was 68.0% in 2021, 63.7% in 2022, and 65.4% in 2023 (to 31 August). So on any given attempt, roughly one in three people do not pass. If you failed, you are in large company.

Here is the encouraging part: failing a sitting is not the same as failing overall. Because you can re-sit at no extra cost, the great majority of applicants eventually pass. Home Affairs figures reported by AAP show about 95.8% of applicants ultimately passed across calendar 2023. A first-attempt fail is a detour, not a dead end. (Per-attempt figures: Senate Question on Notice, Department of Home Affairs.)

What Actually Happens When You Fail

Here is the important part: failing the test does not cancel your citizenship application. Your application remains active and valid. You do not need to reapply or pay any additional fees. Here is exactly what happens:

1. You get your result immediately. The computer-based test gives you a pass or fail as soon as you finish.
2. Your application stays open. The Department of Home Affairs keeps your citizenship application active.
3. The Department books you another appointment. If you fail, it arranges another test appointment for you at no extra cost. There is no published waiting period between attempts.
4. You use the time before your next appointment to study. This is your chance to focus on the areas where you struggled.

There is one limit to know: according to the Department of Home Affairs, if you do not pass after three test appointments, your application may be refused. So while re-sitting is free and there is no mandatory wait, treat each attempt seriously and prepare properly. You can confirm the current policy on the official Department of Home Affairs page about the citizenship test.

How Many Attempts Do You Get?

If you fail, the Department of Home Affairs books another test appointment for you at no extra cost. The test is included in your original citizenship application fee, so you do not pay again to re-sit. There is no published waiting period between attempts.

The one limit to be aware of: if you do not pass after three test appointments, your application may be refused. That is the official position, so each attempt matters. Rather than rushing back in, use the time before your next appointment to fix the gaps that caused the fail.

Your new appointment is arranged through the Department. You can manage citizenship appointments through the official Home Affairs appointments service.

Why the Test Has Gotten Harder Since 2020

If you feel like the test was harder than you expected, you are right. In November 2020, the Australian Government added a mandatory values component to the citizenship test. This single change dramatically shifted the difficulty:

• Before November 2020: per-sitting pass rates ran about 80–87% (2017–2019 data).
• After November 2020: per-sitting pass rates dropped to the mid-60s: 68.0% in 2021, 63.7% in 2022, and 65.4% in 2023 (to 31 August).

The reason is the strict scoring rule for values questions: you must answer all 5 values questions correctly. Even if you answer 18 of the 20 questions correctly, getting a single values question wrong means you fail. This is the number one reason people do not pass the test today. For the complete data and historical trend, see our citizenship test pass rate guide.

The Top Reasons People Fail

Understanding why people fail helps you avoid the same mistakes. Here are the most common reasons, in order of frequency:

1. Getting a Values Question Wrong (The #1 Reason)

This is by far the most common cause of failure. The test contains 5 values questions, and you must answer every single one correctly. There is no room for error. Plenty of people score well overall but fail because they missed one values question. The values section needs a different kind of preparation: you have to understand Australia's values, not just memorise facts.

For a detailed breakdown of every value you need to know, read our guide to Australian citizenship test values questions.

2. Not Studying the Official Guide

All test questions come directly from Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. Some applicants rely on random online resources or outdated materials instead of this official booklet. You can read the official guide free in the app with section-by-section progress tracking.

3. Confusing Government Levels

Questions about which level of government (federal, state, or local) handles what trip up a lot of people. Immigration is federal, for instance, while education is mostly a state responsibility.

4. Memorising Without Understanding

Rote memorisation of answers often fails because the test questions are worded differently from study materials. Understanding the underlying concepts helps you answer correctly even when the question phrasing is unfamiliar.

5. Not Taking Enough Practice Tests

Reading the guide matters, but it is not enough on its own. Practice tests show you the gaps in your knowledge and get you used to the multiple-choice format and the time pressure. Our free practice tests give you instant feedback and an explanation for every question.

Sample Values Questions That Catch People Out

These are the types of questions that cause most failures. Study them carefully:

Practical Tips to Pass on Your Next Attempt

Whether this is your first attempt or a retake, these strategies will dramatically improve your chances:

1. Prioritise Values Questions Above Everything Else

Since one wrong values answer means automatic failure regardless of your overall score, this is where your study time should start. Use category practice to drill values questions separately until you can answer them with 100% accuracy every time.

2. Read the Official Guide Cover to Cover

Every test question comes from Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. There is no shortcut here. Read it thoroughly and use the app to track which sections you have completed.

3. Take Mock Exams Under Realistic Conditions

Our app includes 16 timed mock exams that simulate the real test: 20 questions in 45 minutes with the same pass requirements. Sitting these under test conditions builds confidence and shows up your weak spots.

4. Use Focused Practice to Fix Weak Spots

The app tracks every question you answer incorrectly. Focused practice then lets you re-test only those questions until you get them right. This is the most efficient way to improve between attempts.

5. Study in Your Own Language First

If English is not your first language, start studying in one of the 13 supported languages to build your understanding of the content. All 280 practice questions, answer options, and explanations are available in Hindi, Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Urdu, Sinhala, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Malay, Italian, and Arabic. Once you understand the concepts, switch to English closer to your test date.

6. Aim for 85%+ Consistently

Do not book your test until you are scoring above 85% consistently on practice tests. The 75% pass mark leaves very little room for error, especially with the values requirement. Aiming higher gives you a comfortable buffer for nerves on test day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times can you take the Australian citizenship test?

If you fail, the Department of Home Affairs books another appointment for you at no extra cost. There is no published waiting period between attempts. However, if you do not pass after three test appointments, your application may be refused.

Does failing the citizenship test cancel my application?

No. Failing the test does not cancel your citizenship application. Your application stays active, you do not need to reapply, and you do not pay any additional fee to sit the test again.

How much does it cost to re-sit the citizenship test?

Nothing extra. The test is included in your original citizenship application fee, so re-sitting after a fail does not cost you anything more.

What is the pass rate for the Australian citizenship test?

On a single sitting, the pass rate was 68.0% in 2021, 63.7% in 2022, and 65.4% in 2023 (to 31 August), according to figures the Department of Home Affairs gave the Senate. Because you can re-sit at no extra cost, about 95.8% of applicants ultimately passed across calendar 2023.

Key Takeaways

• Failing is not the end. Your application stays active and the Department books you another appointment.
• Re-sitting is free. There is no extra fee and no published waiting period, but your application may be refused if you do not pass after three appointments.
• About 1 in 3 people don't pass a given sitting, yet around 95.8% of applicants pass eventually (calendar 2023).
• Values questions are the #1 reason for failure. You must get all 5 correct, no exceptions.
• Targeted practice is the fastest way to improve. Focus on what you got wrong, not everything.

Once you pass, the wait shifts to approval and your ceremony. See current citizenship processing times for what to expect next.