A control apparatus for an automatic transmission is disclosed which has shift valves to which a kickdown pressure, governor pressure corresponding to vehicle velocity and throttle pressure are applied, wherein the shift valves are changed over in dependence upon an equilibrium. The apparatus controls the application of the kickdown pressure to the shift valves. When the transmission speed detected during the kickdown operation is a relatively lower speed and vehicle velocity is rising, the kickdown pressure is applied within a first velocity region (Z1 or Z4) on a lower velocity side of a first vehicle velocity (V.sub.U2I or V.sub.U3I) which is less than an engine overrun point (V.sub.o1 or V.sub.o2); it is not applied within a second velocity region (Z2 or Z5) which is set from the first vehicle velocity to a second vehicle velocity which exceeds the engine overrun point (V.sub.o1 or V.sub.o2); and it is applied within a third velocity region (Z3 or Z6) which exceeds the second vehicle velocity.