Implementation
Compulsory work placements are prescribed by schools and (technical) universities where a traineeship is compulsory. However, they only partially check whether the traineeship complies with the framework conditions or requirements as regards the law, organisation and content. It is important here that pupils and students of (technical) universities know their rights and assert their rights against the business/company with, when in doubt, the support of the Chamber of Labour, trade union or works council.
Schools and (technical) universities usually cooperate with companies/businesses offering traineeships. In most cases, candidates still need to apply for a traineeship place.
The same applies for voluntary work placements. Here, however, the business/company is responsible for organisation and candidates themselves must check whether the legal and content-related requirements and framework conditions for a voluntary work placement are fulfilled. This also applies to graduates of (technical) universities. If in doubt, contact the Chamber of Labour and/or trade union. These will provide you with advice and support.
For the legal requirements and framework conditions see section 2.1, ‘Definition and eligibility’.
Living and working conditions
GUARANTEED MINIMUM INCOME
If ostensible ‘voluntary work placements’ or ‘traineeships’ are in fact to be classified as employment relationships because learning and training purposes are not the priority, social assistance or guaranteed minimum income for EU/EEA citizens can be requested if they are living in Austria as workers or have resided in Austria for more than 5 years.
Employment relationships are subject to the requirements set out in employment law and collective bargaining agreements.
In principle, third-country nationals are entitled to social assistance or guaranteed minimum income only if they have been legally resident in Austria for more than 5 years.
People entitled to asylum are entitled to social assistance from the moment their status as refugees is recognised.
Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, on the other hand, must be granted only core social assistance benefits which do not exceed the level of basic welfare. That being said, relevant exceptions are in place in some provinces.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
Trainees who have reached the age of 15 and are not only insured against accidents but are also subject to full insurance (employment relationship, freelance relationship) amass periods of insurance under the unemployment insurance scheme during their traineeship.
FAMILY ALLOWANCES AND STUDENT GRANTS
If you complete a traineeship during your studies, please note that the remuneration received from this traineeship has to be taken into account when calculating additional income capacity in accordance with the Family Benefits Act (Familienlastenausgleichsgesetz, FLAG) with regard to your entitlement to family allowance. It also has to be taken into account when applying for a student grant under the Student Support Act (Studienförderungsgesetz, StudFG).
Being a citizen of an EEA Member State or Switzerland does not in itself entitle students to a student grant in Austria.
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