Australian Citizenship Test Cost 2026 — Fees, Retests & Concessions
Short answer: the test itself is free— it’s included in your citizenship application fee. But the application fee is substantial, it’s generally non-refundable, and failing the test has real costs in time. Here’s the full picture.
| Item | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Citizenship application fee (conferral, general eligibility) | ≈ $560 |
| Concession rate (eligible card holders) | ≈ $75 |
| The citizenship test itself | Included — $0 extra |
| Resitting the test after a fail | $0 — no retest fee |
| Citizenship ceremony | Included — $0 extra |
Fees change periodically — always confirm the current amount on the Department of Home Affairs website.
The real cost of failing isn’t money — it’s time
Since retests are free, failing doesn’t hit your wallet directly. What it costs is months: you wait for a new test appointment, your application sits in limbo, and your ceremony — the moment you actually become a citizen — moves further away. If you fail three times, your application can be refused, and reapplying means paying the full application fee again.
That’s the maths that makes preparation cheap. The pass mark is 75% plus all 5 Australian Values questions correct — most people who fail get caught by the Values section, not the difficulty of the content.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Australian citizenship test cost?
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The test itself has no separate fee — it's included in your citizenship application fee. The application fee for citizenship by conferral (general eligibility) is around $560 AUD. Always check the Department of Home Affairs website for the current amount, as fees are adjusted from time to time.
How much does it cost to retake the test if I fail?
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There is no additional charge to resit the test — retests are covered by your original application fee. The real cost of failing is time: you'll wait for a new appointment, which can delay your citizenship by weeks or months.
Are there concession rates for the application fee?
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Yes. Concession rates (around $75 AUD) apply to eligible applicants, such as holders of certain concession cards. Some groups — including applicants aged under 16 applying with a parent, and British/Maltese former child migrants — may pay no fee. Check the Home Affairs fee page for eligibility.
Is the citizenship application fee refundable if I fail the test?
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No. If your application is refused or you can't pass the test, the application fee is generally not refunded. That's why walking in prepared matters — failing doesn't cost a retest fee, but abandoning an application costs the full fee.
What's the cheapest way to prepare for the test?
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The official 'Our Common Bond' booklet is free, and our 11 practice tests (220+ questions) are free with no sign-up. If you want the full 800-question bank and 40 simulated tests, Premium is a one-time $14.99 — with a full refund if you don't pass.
Protect your $560 application — pass first time
Start with our free practice tests, or get the full 800-question bank for $14.99 with a money-back guarantee if you don't pass.