An control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes: a failure shift stage setting section configured to set, to the target shift stage, a shift stage which can be attained in a state in which the one of the solenoids judged that the failure is generated is not energized; and a failure neutral state through section configured to control the solenoids at a predetermined vehicle speed or over so that the automatic transmission is brought to a neutral state, when the target shift stage is a shift stage at which the vehicle speed is suddenly decreased when the solenoids are controlled so that the automatic transmission attains the target shift stage, and to control the solenoids below the predetermined vehicle speed so that the automatic transmission attains the target shift stage.