The further education assistance (Weiterbildungsbeihilfe) is a support benefit provided by the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS) for continuing education activities. You can apply for the further education assitance if you meet the following requirements:

  • You have been continuously employed by your current employer for at least 12 months at the time of application. If you have completed a master's or diploma programme, you must be able to demonstrate a total of four years of employment in Austria, including 12 consecutive months with your current employer.
  • You have concluded an agreement on "educational leave" with your employer.
    You are not subject to a compulsory training obligation and have not received childcare or maternity allowance during the 26 weeks prior to the start of training.
  • If your income is below half the maximum ASVG contribution base of EUR 3,465.00 (2026 value), career counselling at an AMS Vocational Information Centre (BerufsInfoZentrum) is required before applying for the allowance.
     

The continuing education activity must meet the following requirements:

  • The training or education must be relevant to the labour market and applicable beyond a single employer.
  • Further education allowance: The training must last at least 2 months and comprise at least 20 hours per week — or, in the case of a degree programme, 20 ECTS per semester (or 16 hours/ECTS where childcare is unavailable).
  • Further education part-time allowance: The training must last at least 4 months and comprise at least 10 hours per week — or, in the case of a degree programme, 10 ECTS per semester (or 8 hours/ECTS where childcare is unavailable).
  • Degree programmes are only eligible if enrolment at an Austrian university is in place.
     

PLEASE NOTE: There is no legal entitlement to either allowance. This means an application may be rejected even if all requirements are met — for example, if the annual maximum funding amount has already been reached.


Further information on the continuing education allowance and part-time allowance is available from the AMS or on the government's website in English.