What Happens If You Fail the Australian Citizenship Test?

Not passing the citizenship test is stressful, but it is not the end of your application. Home Affairs has a clear process for what happens next, and you can use the extra time to close the gaps that cost you points.

Your visa is not affected

Home Affairs states plainly that not passing the test will not affect your visa and that you can continue living in Australia. Your citizenship application simply stays open while you prepare for the next attempt.

A new appointment at no extra cost

The citizenship application fee already includes the test. If you do not pass, Home Affairs books another appointment for you at no extra cost. You do not book it yourself: you receive a letter with the new date, time and place.

The limit: three appointments

If you do not pass the test after three appointments, Home Affairs may refuse your application. That is why it pays to find out exactly why you did not pass and to prepare in a focused way before the next appointment.

The most common reason: the values questions

To pass you need at least 75% overall and all 5 Australian values questions correct. Someone who scores 18 out of 20 but gets one values question wrong still does not pass. Study Part 4 of Our Common Bond carefully and practise values questions until you get every one right.

If reading in English is the problem

You can ask to listen to the questions with headphones. People with low literacy who have completed at least 400 hours of English tuition in the Adult Migrant English Program, or people with a documented impairment, can ask about the Assisted Test, which allows 90 minutes instead of 45.

Use the official free resources

Home Affairs offers several free resources for the next attempt. The official practice test is designed to look and feel like the real test, although the questions on the day will be different. There is also an Our Common Bond podcast, and the free AMEPOnline website has citizenship modules with easy-to-understand information and vocabulary for people who are learning English. The booklet itself is available in 40 community languages, but the test is conducted in English only.

Check your documents before the next appointment

Bring your appointment letter and an original photo ID again: without a photo ID, your appointment is moved to a later date. If your circumstances have changed since you applied, for example your address or your name, attach the new documents to your application in ImmiAccount before the appointment.