Training and Further Education

The Social and Further Education Fund (SWF) promotes training and further education for temporary workers employed by commercial temporary employment agencies, which contributes to improving their professional qualifications. This includes IT, office, metalworking, electrical, welding, and master craftsman training courses, as well as language courses.

Training and further education in accordance with Section 3 (1a) of the SWF Benefits Regulations are only funded up to an amount of EUR 7,000 including VAT per temporary worker and year of employment. Actual training and further education costs are funded at up to 125% of comparable reference prices of national training and further education institutions.

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Commercial temporary employment agencies that have paid their contributions to the social and further education fund (in accordance with Section 22d of the Austrian Temporary Employment Act, known as SWF contributions) in full and on time are eligible. As a temporary worker, you should contact your temporary employment agency, which will submit the application on your behalf.

Applications can be submitted easily and without red tape via "My SWF" (SWF service portal).

• Support can be applied for in two ways: as AKÜ or via the ZA

• The type of application determines the required documents and the processing procedure.
• In the interests of the temporary employment agency, the ZA, and the training and further education institution, it is recommended that the application for support to cover costs (regardless of the type of application) be submitted in "Mein SWF" (SWF service portal) before the start of the training measure.

Applying as an AKÜ (temporary employment agency):

• The temporary employment agency pays for the training measure.

• The invoice for the training and further education is issued to the temporary employment agency.

• The SWF reimburses the temporary employment agency.

• The amount of funding is limited by the de minimis rule and SWF contributions. 

Applying via a temporary employment agency (ZA):

• The SWF pays the training and further education institution directly after completion of the training measure.

• The invoice is issued to the temporary worker.

• Neither the AKÜ nor the ZA make any financial advance payments.

• Wage and salary compensation - In the case of training and further education during normal working hours, wage and salary costs are subsequently compensated by the AKÜ: if the employment/service relationship continues for at least one month after completion of the training or further education (and is continued continuously at the employer's company during this period), and if the further education took place during working hours, the temporary employment agency will subsequently receive 154% of the gross wages/salaries paid for this. However, the reimbursement is limited to the maximum contribution basis according to § 45 ASVG (including allowances and supplements). Furthermore, the amount of the subsidy is limited by the de minimis rule and the SWF contributions paid.
• Training and further education in accordance with Section 3 (1a) can be combined with educational leave (Bildungskarenz), part-time education (Bildungsteilzeit), or a skilled worker scholarship (Fachkräftestipendium). The SWF pays a subsidy to supplement the further education allowance (Weiterbildungsbeihilfe), skilled worker scholarship, or, in exceptional cases, unemployment benefits—up to a maximum of the last average net salary earned (up to the ASVG maximum contribution base). If the main income ceases, the subsidy also ends. In the case of additional income and/or the employer-related portion of the continuing education allowance pursuant to § 37e (7) AMSG, the amount of the allowance is reduced accordingly. The scope of the training measure (including self-study time) must correspond to the previous weekly working time. If less time is spent, the subsidy is reduced proportionally. The subsidy is only granted for the duration of the training and further education and requires written approval from the SWF board.

Please read the details in § 3 of the SWF Benefits Regulations.