FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where can I get help if I have questions about compulsory education?
The regional coordination offices are the first point of contact. They provide answers and help clarify the situation. They also connect you with appropriate support, such as through youth coaching or the AMS.
Each coordination office can be reached toll-free at 0800 700 118 .
General Questions
No. Teenagers are not required to continue attending school. The obligation to receive an education can also be fulfilled through an apprenticeship, other training programs, or certain preparatory and supportive programs.
It applies to all young people who have completed their nine years of compulsory schooling and are permanent residents of Austria. The obligation to pursue an education ends on one’s 18th birthday or upon completion of secondary school or vocational training.
There are several options, for example:
- a secondary school
- an apprenticeship, an inter-company training program, or a partial qualification
- training in a health care or social services profession
- Earning a compulsory education diploma
- a course that prepares students for a career*
- a recognized support service*
- a temporary position listed in the career development or support plan*
*Not every opportunity automatically qualifies. For some courses or projects, a career plan or support plan is required. Youth coaching services, the AMS, or the coordination office can help you choose.
Here is a list of your options:
All parents, young people, schools, businesses, and organizations can contact the coordination office if they have questions. It is also the first point of contact when support is needed and refers young people to the appropriate service: either youth coaching or the AMS. Each federal state has a regional coordination office (KOST).
Youth coaching helps young people identify their strengths and interests and find a suitable educational or vocational path. If young people are unsure of what to do next, the coordination office can refer them to the youth coaching program. The coaches then work with the young person to create a plan for the future. This plan outlines, step by step, how to move forward. Decisions are not made over their heads. Their personal situation is the focus.
The Public Employment Service (AMS) provides guidance on apprenticeships, vocational training, courses, and career opportunities, and helps place young people in suitable training positions. They also help young people find the right training program and develop an individualized support plan.
The plan describes how a young person can fulfill their compulsory education requirement. It is developed in collaboration with the youth counselor or the AMS. The following factors are taken into account:
- Interests and Skills
- one's personal situation
- experience to date
- Possible schools, training programs, or courses
- necessary support
Even a temporary position can be included in the plan.
No. No one should be forced to attend a specific school or pursue a specific training program. During the counseling process, the young person’s interests, abilities, and wishes are taken into account. Together, we look for a suitable option.
First, counseling and support are offered. Together, we determine why the young person does not want to pursue vocational training and what alternatives might be suitable.
Parents or legal guardians must notify the Coordination Office if their child has not attended school or a training program for more than three months. It is important that they cooperate with the Coordination Office and demonstrate that they are making a genuine effort to find a solution.
Otherwise, a fine imposed on legal guardians is a last resort. The first point of contact for assistance is the regional coordination offices.
If a teenager is considering dropping out of school or an apprenticeship, support should be sought as early as possible—preferably before dropping out.
The coordination office or the youth coaching program will then provide counseling aimed at preventing the student from dropping out—they will help clarify:
- Why a termination is desired
- what kind of support is available
- whether another school or training program would be a better fit
- what might happen in the event of a cancellation (or change)
Giving up doesn't mean you've failed. The important thing is to work together to find a new path. Here, too, the regional coordination offices are the first place to turn to for support.
In certain situations, the obligation to complete vocational training is temporarily suspended. This means that the obligation remains in effect but does not have to be fulfilled during this period. To have the obligation to complete vocational training suspended, you must contact the Coordination Office.
This could be the case, for example:
- while receiving child care benefits, if the young people are parents themselves
- during a volunteer social or environmental year
- during certain volunteer service programs
- during active military service or civilian service
- in the case of an acute illness
- if, for other important reasons, training is temporarily not possible
If this period ends before the student's 18th birthday, the compulsory education requirement must be fulfilled again.
Work and Education
Yes, but only under certain conditions. Employment is permitted if it is part of a training program, takes place alongside school or vocational training, or is included in a career development or support plan. Unskilled employment—often referred to as unskilled labor —is not permitted without such a plan and may be terminated prematurely . There is no fine for the employer.
Summer jobs and internships during school breaks remain permitted.
If unskilled employment is not included in the career development or support plan, a counseling and support process is initiated.
The teenager may terminate this employment relationship without observing the usual notice periods. Other rights under the employment contract remain in effect.
Businesses are not generally required to report this. However, they should verify whether the employment is compatible with the compulsory education requirement and whether it can be converted into an apprenticeship, if possible.
Unskilled employment is permitted only if it:
- takes place alongside school or vocational training, or
- is specified as a temporary measure in a development or support plan.
If this is not the case, the employer should speak with the young person and contact the coordination office. The coordination office advises employers and helps them find a suitable solution for the young person.
It is also important that the employer allows the young person enough time to attend counseling appointments with the youth coaching program or the Public Employment Service (AMS).
Businesses will also be notified in writing if they employ young people who may be in violation of the compulsory education requirement. In such cases, they can also contact the coordination office for assistance.
Special Situations
The coordination office helps clarify the situation. Together with the youth coaching program or the AMS, they explore what kind of support and training path are available. Health-related or personal challenges can also be taken into account in the outlook or support plan.
Additional support and counseling services are available for mental health issues, anxiety, and crises. For immediate assistance, the following services are available around the clock:
- Advice on the Line – Emergency number 147 (for children, teens, and caregivers)
- Telephone Counseling – Emergency hotline 142(for anyone facing difficult life situations)
The obligation to pursue vocational training also applies to young people with disabilities. There are special counseling, training, and support services that can be tailored to individual needs. Youth coaching or the AMS can help young people find a suitable path and document it in a career plan or support plan. Here, too, the regional coordination offices serve as the first point of contact for support.
The compulsory education diploma can be earned through a course. Other preparatory programs or certain types of apprenticeship training may also be options. Youth coaching or the AMS can help you find the right path and document it in a career development or support plan. Here, too, the regional coordination offices are the first point of contact for support.
When young people have completed secondary school or vocational training, their compulsory education ends before their 18th birthday. This may be the case, for example, after completing an apprenticeship or at least two years of (vocational) secondary school.
The obligation to pursue an education is suspended as long as the young person receives child care allowance. However, this does not automatically end the obligation. Even though the obligation to pursue an education is suspended, young people who receive child care allowance can, of course, still turn to the " KOST " and the youth coaching program for support.
If benefits end before the child’s 18th birthday, the requirement to complete education or training must be fulfilled again. Youth coaching and the AMS provide support in balancing education or training with child care. Here, too, the regional coordination offices are the first point of contact for assistance.
The requirement to receive an education also applies to juveniles in a correctional facility. Their education there is provided in accordance with the applicable regulations for juveniles.
Minors in the asylum process must attend school if they are still of school age. This means that the nine-year compulsory education requirement applies to them. However, the requirement to complete vocational training does not apply to them .
The compulsory education requirement applies to:
- recognized asylum seekers
- Persons entitled to subsidiary protection
- Young people with displaced person status, for example, from Ukraine.
Young people with an ongoing asylum case can also take advantage of educational, counseling, and support services. Which services are appropriate depends on their individual circumstances. Here, too, the regional coordination offices are the first point of contact for support.
Depending on their immigration status and personal circumstances, young people can take advantage of educational and support services. Which school, vocational training program, preparatory course, or employment opportunity is available must be determined on a case-by-case basis.
The coordination office provides information about more suitable programs.
Displaced youth from Ukraine have been required to enroll in vocational training since July 1, 2024, if they are under 18 years of age.
You can take advantage of all the counseling and support services offered by the “Education until 18” program. Attending a Ukrainian high school online can fulfill the compulsory education requirement if the school concludes with a recognized high school graduation exam. Here, too, the regional coordination offices are the first point of contact for support.
Children are generally covered under their parents' insurance or—under certain conditions—under the insurance of other caregivers.
If you're in an apprenticeship, you're covered by health insurance through the apprenticeship itself. This also applies to summer jobs where your salary exceeds the minimum income threshold. In that case, you're covered through your employment relationship while working.
Once their summer job ends, they are generally automatically covered under their parents' insurance again.
Preparing independently for external examinations can fulfill the educational requirement. To do so, an application for admission must be submitted to the relevant external examination board; admission becomes effective upon approval. Simply submitting the application does not constitute admission.
After admission, regular evaluations must demonstrate that the training is continuing.
Reporting Requirements and Penalties
Schools, apprenticeship programs, the AMS, the Ministry of Social Affairs Service, and certain training institutions report the start and end dates of training programs to Statistics Austria. The data is cross-checked to identify young people who may not be enrolled in a training program. The coordination office then contacts the young people in question and their legal guardians. It clarifies the situation and offers support.
Parents or legal guardians must notify the coordination office if their child has not attended school or a vocational training program for more than three months.
In addition to parents and legal guardians, the following individuals, among others, are required to report:
- Schools,
- Apprenticeship positions,
- the AMS,
- the Ministry of Social Affairs Service,
- certain providers of educational and support services.
Not every organization that works with young people is automatically required to report. Reports are primarily submitted regarding the start and end dates of training or supervision, as well as certain required personal data. The specific data and the method of transmission are governed by the current guidelines issued by Statistics Austria.
Only data necessary to determine whether young people are enrolled in vocational training is transmitted. The processing of this data complies with data protection regulations. The data is always transmitted in encrypted form and is cross-checked by Statistics Austria.
Minors themselves are not punished. An administrative penalty may only be imposed on parents or other legal guardians if they fail to fulfill their responsibility to cooperate with the relevant authorities. Anyone who cooperates with the coordination office and demonstrably makes an effort to find a suitable solution will generally not be punished.
However, filing a complaint with the district administrative authority is only done as a last resort. The district administrative authority decides whether a penalty will actually be imposed.
No. The Compulsory Apprenticeship Act does not provide for penalties against employers. However, if unqualified employment is not covered by a career development or support plan, a counseling and support process is initiated. In this case, young people may terminate the employment relationship early without having to observe the usual notice periods.
Schools and Organizations
Schools should support young people early on as they transition to another school or vocational training. This includes, above all:
- Provide information about educational and career paths
- Preventing Students from Dropping Out as Much as Possible
- Provide appropriate support when problems arise
- contribute to a life plan or care plan
- Explore options for continuing or resuming school attendance
Schools report to Statistics Austria which young people are starting or leaving school. This makes it possible to identify cases where young people may not be continuing their education after leaving school. The reporting is carried out in compliance with all data protection regulations and current guidelines from Statistics Austria.
Schools can help identify students’ interests and strengths, provide information about educational pathways, and offer guidance early on. If students encounter difficulties, schools can refer them to the regional coordination office (KOST) or other support services.
Organizations should provide support to young people early on if there is a risk that they might drop out of a training program or if they have not yet found a suitable training path.
You can:
- Provide information about educational and training paths
- Refer to the coordination office, youth coaching program, or AMS
- contribute to a life plan or care plan
- determine whether vocational training can be continued or resumed
