Political Framework

Austria is a federal republic with nine federal provinces. The education system is the same in all provinces. The federal government is responsible for academic secondary schools (“Allgemein bildende höhere Schule – AHS”) as well as medium and higher-level technical and vocational schools (“Berufsbildende mittlere und höhere Schule – BMS / BHS”), the provincial authorities are responsible for the general compulsory schools. Education is compulsory for all children who have reached the age of six, and lasts for nine years.