Recognition or assessment of foreign vocational training

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (BMAW) cooperates with Member States of the EU/EEA and other countries on numerous initiatives and at various levels to further develop mutual recognition and accreditation of prior learning.

Applications of a completed vocational training (final examinations) may be recognised by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (BMAW) and declared equivalent to corresponding Austrian apprenticeship qualifications.

Upon application the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (BMAW) may declare vocational training credentials obtained abroad to be equivalent to the related final apprenticeship examination taken under the Austrian system. Furthermore the Ministry may declare the admission to a "limited" practical examination to achieve full equivalence with the final apprenticeship examination.

Full recognition / equivalence guarantees the application of Austrian legal acts for Labour, social security and trade law.

Application - Process:

fill in and sign the application form (PDF, 889 KB)
choose the corresponding Austrian apprenticeship (see: Lehrberufsliste, Europass Zeugniserläuterungen, BIC, usw.)
required documents (original or certified copy, translations)

Diploma or final examination certificate for successfully completed training
Attachment to the diploma or certificates about the duration of the training, the training content and the proportion of practical training
Declaration of the extent of practical training (on how many days of the week did the practical training take place at school or in a specialized company) - this notification can be written personally by the applicant
Further Documents as mentioned in application form

Assessment of education completed abroad

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (BMAW) can make an assessment to determine the technical correspondence with the training in an Austrian apprenticeship or a professional field.

It is an orientation on the labour market for companies and job seekers to support qualification-adequate employment in Austria.

Application - Process:

fill in and sign the application form (PDF, 891 KB)
choose the corresponding Austrian apprenticeship (see: Lehrberufsliste, Europass Zeugniserläuterungen, BIC, usw.)
required documents:

Diploma or final examination certificate for successfully completed training
Attachment to the diploma or certificates about the duration of the training, the training content and the proportion of practical training
Further Documents as mentioned in application form

Vocational training agreement

Some vocational training courses completed in Germany, Hungary or South Tyrol are treated in the same way due to vocational training agreements. Upon request, the Federal Ministry for Digitization and Economic Location will provide information about this.

Further Information:

Assistance:

office hours at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy

(Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 11:00 by appointment - by phone: +43 (0)1 711 00 - 805327 or e-mail: anerkennung-lehrabschluss@bmaw.gv.at)

AST - Anlaufstellen für Personen mit im Ausland erworbenen Qualifikationen

Contact

Vocational Training: lehre_berufsausbildung@bmaw.gv.at