There is no legal limit on how many times you can fail the Australian Citizenship Test. However, each failure means you must rebook and wait — which can add weeks or months to your timeline. Most candidates who fail do so on the Australian values questions, where a 100% score is mandatory.
There is no maximum number of times you can fail the Australian Citizenship Test. You are allowed to resit the test as many times as needed. However, each failed attempt requires you to rebook, wait for a new appointment, and sit the full test again — which can significantly delay your citizenship timeline.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, approximately 5% of applicants do not pass on their first attempt. Understanding why people fail — and what happens next — is the best way to make sure it doesn't happen to you twice.
What Happens When You Fail the Australian Citizenship Test?
If you do not achieve the required score, the following happens immediately:
- You are told you have not passed at the test centre — results are given immediately
- Your application remains open — you do not need to reapply
- You will need to contact the Department of Home Affairs to arrange a new test appointment
- There is a waiting period before you can resit — this is typically arranged through your local Home Affairs office
- You do not lose your application or your visa status
Why Do People Fail the Citizenship Test?
Most failures on the Australian Citizenship Test come down to two main issues:
1. Failing the Australian Values Questions
The test includes 5 mandatory values questions. You must get all 5 correct to pass — there is no partial credit. Even if you answer the other 15 questions perfectly, a single wrong values answer means a fail. According to the Department of Home Affairs, these questions test your understanding of:
- Freedom of speech and expression
- Equality of opportunity for all
- Freedom of religion and secular government
- Support for parliamentary democracy and the rule of law
- The English language as the national language
2. Not Meeting the 75% Pass Mark
The test has 20 questions. You need to answer at least 15 correctly (75%) to pass. The remaining 15 questions are drawn from the four categories in Our Common Bond:
- Australian values
- Australia and its people
- Democratic beliefs, rights and liberties
- Government and the law
Candidates who rely on memorising individual facts without understanding the broader context tend to struggle on questions that are worded differently from what they practised.
Is There a Waiting Period Between Attempts?
There is no official legislated waiting period between test attempts. However, in practice, rebooking takes time — you need to contact Home Affairs, arrange an appointment, and wait for availability at your local office. This can realistically take 2 to 8 weeks depending on your location and the office's appointment schedule.
This is why failing once can add a significant delay to your overall citizenship application. Your citizenship ceremony cannot be scheduled until you pass the test.
Don't Risk a Second Failure
Use our free practice tests to identify and fix your weak areas before your next attempt.
Start Free Practice TestWhat Should You Do Differently After Failing?
If you have already failed the Australian Citizenship Test, here is a structured approach to make sure your next attempt is successful:
Step 1: Identify What Went Wrong
At the test centre, you will be told whether you failed due to the values questions or the overall score. This information is crucial — it tells you exactly where to focus your study.
Step 2: Re-Read Our Common Bond Thoroughly
The test is based entirely on the official resource Our Common Bond, published by the Department of Home Affairs. Do not rely on third-party summaries alone. Read the full booklet, paying close attention to the sections on Australian values and democratic principles.
Step 3: Use Practice Tests to Identify Gaps
Generic reading is not enough — you need active recall. Take as many practice tests as possible, focusing on the categories where you scored lowest. Our free practice quiz includes questions modelled on the real test format, including values-specific questions.
Step 4: Focus on Understanding, Not Memorisation
Questions on the real test are often worded differently from what you practised. Understanding the concept behind each answer — not just the answer itself — is what prepares you for unexpected phrasing.
How Many People Fail More Than Once?
Failing twice is uncommon among well-prepared candidates. The vast majority of applicants who fail once and then actively study before rebooking pass on their second attempt. The risk of repeated failure is highest among candidates who rebook quickly without additional study — essentially repeating the same preparation that did not work the first time.
The Department of Home Affairs does not publish statistics on multiple failures, but migration agents report that candidates who use structured practice tests and target their weak areas overwhelmingly succeed on their next attempt.
Does Failing Affect Your Citizenship Application?
Failing the test does not affect the validity of your citizenship application. Your application remains active and your eligibility is unchanged. The only consequence is a delay to your timeline — your citizenship cannot proceed until you pass the test.
However, it is worth noting that your permanent residency status is not affected either. You remain a permanent resident with all associated rights until you achieve citizenship.
Ready to Prepare Properly?
Our full study guide covers everything in Our Common Bond — structured for fast, effective revision.
View Study GuideFrequently Asked Questions
Is there a limit on how many times I can sit the Australian Citizenship Test?
No. There is no legal maximum. You can resit as many times as needed, but each failed attempt adds time to your citizenship timeline due to rebooking delays.
What happens to my application after I fail?
Your application stays open and active. You simply need to contact the Department of Home Affairs to schedule a new test date. You do not need to reapply or pay the application fee again.
Can I appeal a failed citizenship test result?
No. The test is objective — either you meet the pass mark or you do not. There is no appeal mechanism for test results. Your option is to resit the test.
How long do I have to wait before I can resit the test?
There is no mandatory waiting period set by law. The wait is purely logistical — how quickly you can arrange an appointment through Home Affairs. This typically takes 2–8 weeks.
Do I need to pay again if I fail the citizenship test?
No. The test itself does not have a separate fee. The cost of the citizenship application is paid once when you lodge your application, and covers all test attempts.