Two thirds of all day care facilities in Austria are maintained by federal units (federal government, federal provinces, municipalities). The overwhelming majority of these public-sector facilities are maintained by the municipalities (98.5%). More than half of all private child care facilities are run by private associations, just under a third by church organisations.
- Further comprehensive information on different facilities (e.g. children’s groups, day nurseries, daycare homes) can be found at: Austria’s digital authority: oesterreich.gv.at
- Information on childcare in all provinces can be found on www.kinderbetreuung.at (in German only), special information for Vienna is provided here.
- At most Austrian universities childcare facilities are offered for university staff (UniKid Childcare facilities for university staff: www.unikid-unicare.at/en/home)
Compulsory education for all children permanently living in Austria starts at the age of six and lasts for nine years. Austria has a free public school system. The school year starts in early September and ends early in July.
Education in Austria is divided into primary education from the age of six to the age of ten years and secondary education. Lower secondary education encompasses the first four years after primary education. At secondary level II, students then attend the Upper Level of the Academic Secondary School or the Medium or Upper Level Secondary Technical and Vocational School. Once students have completed nine years of compulsory education they can also take up an apprenticeship within the dual system of practical training combined with part-time vocational school, or follow a programme of training leading to a healthcare profession.
Upon completion of secondary level II the Austrian education system offers additional educational opportunities, ranging from short-cycle tertiary education in the field of Vocational Education and Training (VET) to degree-level programmes at universities, universities of applied sciences and university colleges of teacher education.
Further general information:
- The Austrian Education System: www.bildungssystem.at/en
- The simplified diagram of the Austrian education system is produced by Euroguidance Austria and is available as a poster and a leaflet in more than 22 languages (Albanian, Arabic, Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian, Bulgarian, Chinese, Czech, Dari, English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Kurdish, Polish, Romanian, Romani, Russian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Turkish and Urdu). It can also be downloaded at www.edusystem.at.
- Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF): Education in Austria
- Learning in Austria: This site can help you finding learning opportunities such as initial vocational training, university courses and adult education.
Information about schooling in Vienna:
- The school system in Vienna
- International Schools in Vienna
- School holidays and days off in Vienna (in German only)
Information about schooling in Graz:
Maternity protection
Maternity protection depends on your individual working condition and there are three main categories:
1. White and blue collar employees and minimum income employees
Pregnant working females are entitled to maternity leave which starts 8 weeks prior to delivery and lasts 8-16 weeks after the delivery with an absolute ban on employment during this period. Your employer should be informed about the pregnancy as soon as possible (the latest at week 12 of your pregnancy), then you are protected agains dismissal and termination.
Usually salaried and waged female employees receive a maternity weekly allowance (Wochengeld).
Self-insured minimum income employees are also entitled to weekly allowances.
Details can be obtained from the competent health insurance institution:
- oesterreich.gv.at (birth; in German only)
- www.arbeiterkammer.at (only in German)
2. Independent female contractors
They are not protected by the Materniy Protection Act but they do receive weekly maternity allowance related to their income.
For details please check:
- oesterreich.gv.at (birth; in German only)
- www.arbeiterkammer.at (only in German)
3. Self-employed females
An entrepreneurial aid (Betriebshilfe) is forseen for women running a business (replacement labour is provided for the business). Under certain circumstances, they are also entitled to weekly maternity allowance (new self-employed, freelancers). Entrepreneurial aid and weekly maternity allowance will only be provided if the compulsory insurance with the competent health insurance (Social Security Institution for Trade and Industry) remains in force.
Details can be found here:
- oesterreich.gv.at (birth; in German only)
- SVA der gewerblichen Wirtschaft (in German only; entrepreneurial aid and maternity weekly allowance)
- www.usp.gv.at (entrepreneurial aid)
Mother-Child-Booklet
For the recording of medical check ups of the mother and the unborn child / check ups during infancy and early childhood stages you should obtain a Mother-Child-Booklet (from your gynaecologist, general practitioner, district public health office, etc.).
The Booklet is a prerequisite for the receipt of the full childcare allowance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld).
Details can be found here: oesterreich.gv.at
Parental leave allowance, child care allowance and parental leave time
During parental leave (entitlement to release from performance obligations under employment contract pursuant to Labour Law after expiry of the maternity protection period) parents are protected against dismissal and termination (independent contractors are not entitled to parental leave).
During parental leave, childcare allowance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld) can be received provided all prerequisites have been satisfied, it depends on the duration of the parental leave, there are various models when applying for this allowance.
These are some of the prerequisites:
- Common household with the child
- At least one of the parents living in the same household with the child is entitled to receive family allowance (Familienbeihilfe)
- Centre of life is in Austria
- Legal residence in Austria
- Mother-Child Pass
Note that childcare allowance is only granted for the youngest child. During parental leave you can take on minimum income employment.
For details please check:
- oesterreich.gv.at
- www.bmfj.gv.at (child care allowance; KinderBetreuungsGeld-Vergleichsrechner - only in German)
- www.arbeiterkammer.at ('Karenz' and brochure 'Elternkarenz'; only in German)
Family allowance (Familienbeihilfe)
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens are entitled to receive family allowance from the country, where the child permanently resides (in case the parents are employed in two different countries). Children of third country citizens with main residence in Austria are principally also entitled to family allowance benefits (a valid residence title is obligatory).
The allowance is for minors up to the age of 18, for persons older than this, the family allowance is paid under certain conditions (e.g. vocational training, handicapped persons, etc.). In a joint household, the primary caregiver is entitled to receive the family allowance.
The allowance depends on the age of the child. Child related special tax allowances and supplements are granted os of the second or further child, or one or more disabled children. You can use the Family Allowance Calculator (Familienbeihilfenrechner) to determine your family allowance total (only in German).
For more information, please check:
- oesterreich.gv.at (family allowance or multiple children supplement or family allowance for students)
- www.bmfj.gv.at ("Familienbeihilfe")
- www.arbeiterkammer.at (search for 'Familiebeihilfe' and 'Familienbeihilfe-Rechner'; only in German)
Care of relatives
You find current information on care, care allowance, caring for relatives, care at home - "24-hour care", old people's and nursing homes etc. at: https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/en/themen/pflege.html (in German)
Family assistance
The Caritas Vienna and Lower-Austria East supports families in difficult situations. Further information: Familienhilfe klassisch – Entlastung in Notsituationen: Caritas Wien (caritas-wien.at)