How does the programme operate in Austria?
The Language Assistants Programme is a bi-lateral mobility programme. We work with our partner organisation the Sprachassistenz in Österreich team, part of the OeAD Agentur für Bildung und Internationalisierung, to send English Language Assistants to secondary schools in Austria.
You can find a timeline of what to expect if you apply for Austria in the lifecycle document at the bottom of this page.
Am I eligible for a placement in Austria?
To be a Language Assistant in Austria, you must:
- fulfil the general eligibility criteria.
- hold a UK, Irish, EU, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport.
- have A2-level German. Please note however that Assistants will be expected to be able to communicate and complete the necessary administration procedures in German.
- be aged 20 - 35 on 01 October 2025. If you are aged 18 - 20, you must have completed at least two years of an undergraduate degree by 01 October 2025 and your application may be subject to further assessment. Depending on the number of applicants we may consider applicants over the age limit.
- have completed all of your secondary school education in the UK or in an English-speaking overseas school.
When will I start my placement?
Posts in Austria will run from 1 October 2025 until 31 May 2026.
Will there be an induction course?
Assistants will usually be invited to attend a four-day induction run by the Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung (BMBWF). This usually takes place in late September and is highly recommended.
To participate, Assistants will need to pay a small cost (approximately €130) to cover accommodation and meals.
How many hours will I work per week?
Language Assistants in Austria can expect to work approximately 13 hours per week. Please be aware that your specific timetable and working pattern can vary depending on the region and institution that you are allocated to.
What holidays will I have?
In Austria the academic calendar runs from September to June. Assistants will receive the same school and national holidays as their institution.
Holidays often vary by region and sometimes institution, however, Austria has many official public holidays every year, most observed nationwide, some local. Assistants should check public holidays with their school directly. To get an idea what the academic calendar may look like, you can browse the Ferienkalendar 2025/2026 provided by the Austrian government.
What type of institution will I be working in?
All placements in Austria are in secondary schools or further education colleges. Assistants can be allocated to work in one, two or three schools.
How many posts are available in Austria?
Every year there are approximately 60 posts available in Austria. Posts are available for undergraduates and graduates, however, undergraduates on a compulsory year abroad will be prioritised during the allocation process.
Where can I go in Austria?
If you wish to express an area preference, you must choose one area from each of the groups below. Please choose one from group A, one from group B and one from group C, and then put them in order of preference.
- GROUP A: Burgenland - Niederösterreich - Vorarlberg
- GROUP B: Kärnten - Oberösterreich - Steiermark
- GROUP C: Salzburg - Tirol - Wien
We strongly recommend that you research different areas of Austria to make sure that you pick the areas that suit you most. Wien, Salzburg and Tirol are the most popular first-choice regions, so competition is high.
The areas listed above refer to regions (Bundesländer) and not to towns or cities, although they may share the same name. Candidates who are placed in one of their three area preferences should expect to be allocated anywhere within the given region. This means that a significant number of postings are in rural areas. Please keep this in mind when completing your application
How much will I be paid?
You can expect to earn approximately €1,400 net per month.
Please note that our overseas partners and employing institutions are ultimately responsible for setting the salary of Language Assistants and this amount should therefore be treated as indicative and may be subject to change.
What are the costs involved?
Applicants should also be aware that there are significant costs associated with the visa process and moving to Austria. However, these costs should not come all at once as they will occur at different stages of the process, from visa application to arrival in Austria. Costs are likely to include:
Pre-departure:
- International Child Protection Certificate (£99)
- Legislation of ICPC + postage (approx. £35)
- Residence permit application including administrative fees (approx. €140)
- Accommodation costs and deposit for permanent accommodation in Austria
- Travel costs to and from the Austrian Embassy London, accommodation costs in London, if applicable
- Travel costs to placement location
- Health and travel insurance to cover your stay in Austria before the start of your placement
In post (before receiving first payment):
- Residency permit collection fee (€20)
- Costs for initial few months – You may not receive your first payment until late November, so you will need sufficient funds for this time. Previous assistants have recommended budgeting for at least two months without pay (approx. €1.000-2.500)
We encourage you to read more about the monthly allowance and how much money we recommend budgeting for Austria in section 8 of the destination guide (available at the bottom of this page).
Will I need a visa?
Assistants going to Austria who do not have an EU passport or pre-existing Austrian residency will have to apply for a Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel). Applications for the residence permit must be made at the Austrian Embassy in London in July – an entry visa is not required. We will provide further guidance on this process if you are selected for a post in Austria.
The cost is currently €120 (EUR) plus a collection fee. Please note there will be additional costs involved in obtaining the relevant documents and in the translation and legalisation process. These costs will vary depending on your specific circumstances. Please also factor in travel costs for the Embassy appointment.
The residence permit is issued for the specific purpose of your role as an English Language Assistant and as such you are not permitted to take on any other official work.
Please ensure your passport is valid 6 months beyond the end of your assistantship and has been issued within the last ten years (even if it has six months or more left).
Visa requirements can change at short notice, and the British Council cannot be held responsible for any changes to the visa process or to the approximate costs listed above which have been given as a guide only. If allocated a placement, you will receive the most up-to-date information. You should not apply until you have been instructed to do so by the team.
I've worked as a Language Assistant in Austria – can I apply again?
Assistants currently working in Austria can apply for a consecutive year through our partner ogranisation in Austria (Sprachassistenz team at the OeAD). Please refer to the Verlängerung um ein zweites Jahr section of their website for more information on how to apply.
Consecutive year Assistants can ask to remain at the same school or request a change to their school or region. They will not be required to attend the induction course the following year but may be invited to help as a former Assistant.
If you have previously been an Assistant in Austria but are not currently and would like to apply to the programme again, please follow the guidance for returning applicants.
Where can I get information about my placement from?
The guide for Language Assistants in Austria 2024-25 is available below. This information has been provided for reference and is subject to change each year. Updated guidance for Assistants going out on placement in 2025-26 will be available in summer 2025.