Between vocational and academic tracks, public and private options, education in Austria can seem complex. So when it comes to enrolling your children in school, this can seem an intimidating process; especially for expat parents who need to first familiarize themselves with the education system. Fortunately, with a little research and some preparation, navigating education in Austria can be a relatively seamless process.

To help you out, this guide explains everything from school tracks to homeschooling, and daycare to resources for special needs children. It includes the following information:

• Education in Austria
  • School sections in Austria
• Preschool education in Austria
• Primary education in Austria
  • The primary school system in Austria
  • Public primary schools in Austria
  • Private primary schools in Austria
• Secondary education in Austria
  • The secondary school system in Austria
    • Public secondary schools in Austria
    • Lower secondary school in Austria
    • Pre-vocational year
    • Vocational school in Austria
    • Secondary academic school
  • Private secondary schools in Austria
    • International schools
    • Religious schools in Austria
    • Montessori schools in Austria
    • Boarding schools in Austria
• The International Baccalaureate (IB) in Austria
• Graduating in Austria
• Financial aid and scholarships in Austria
• Educational support for expat students in Austria
• Support for children with special educational needs (SEN) in Austria
• Changing schools in Austria
• Chances for parental involvement in schooling in Austria
• Homeschooling in Austria

Education in Austria

Education in Austria is divided into public, private, and international schools. Overall, educational quality is high, and your child will be in good hands. In fact, in 2015, Austrian students performed above-average when compared to other European countries. School attendance is mandatory up until the age of 15, through to ninth grade.

The Federal Ministry of Education funds and supervises all primary, secondary, and tertiary education in Austria, but each individual state is the administrator.

School sections in Austria

In Austria, school sections have different names. Students up to age ten will complete their primary school at a Volksschule or Grundschule, while students aged 10 to 14 or 15 will attend a junior high (Hauptschule) or secondary school (Kooperative Mittelschule). Students interested in vocational training may complete their ninth year at a polytechnical school, or Polytechnische Schule. While educational inequality is generally low in Austria, students from immigrant backgrounds do tend to have higher rates of grade repetition and early school leaving. You can find more specific information about the schooling system in Austria in our guides to schools and international schools.

Preschool education in Austria

Parents interested in preschool education in Austria have a few options. Kinderkrippen are care centers for children under the age of three, while kindergartens welcome children aged three to six. Preschool begins at age five, is free, and is mandatory. Before this age, education in Austria is not mandatory; that said, many parents do choose to enroll their children. Early childhood education, on the other hand, is not free, and costs depend on the province and the daycare center.