My SWF

Training and Further Education

More training.
More support.
More future.

Training and continuing education

What are training and continuing education programs?

The Social and Continuing Education Fund (SWF) supports temporary workers with training and continuing education.

This enables you to learn new skills and improve your chances on the job market.

Examples of training courses:

  • Computer and office courses
  • Metalworking, electrical, or welding courses
  • Foreman training
  • Language courses

The SWF pays up to €7,000 per year for a temporary worker.

The SWF pays actual costs, but no more than 125% of a standard reference price.

 

Am I a temporary worker?

You are a temporary worker if:

  • You are employed by a temporary employment agency
  • But you work for another company (employer)

Your wages come from the temporary employment agency, but you do your work at the employer.

Temporary workers have the same rights as comparable employees there.

 

Who can apply for training?

The temporary employment agencies submit the application – not the temporary workers.

The AKÜ must have paid the SWF contributions in full and on time.

If you are a temporary worker, talk to your AKÜ.

 

How do you apply?

The application is submitted via the "Mein SWF" online portal.

There are two options:

1. Application through the AKÜ

  • AKÜ pays for the training
  • The invoice is issued to the AKÜ
  • SWF repays the money to the AKÜ

2. Application by the temporary worker

  • SWF pays directly to the educational institution
  • Invoice is issued to the temporary worker
  • Temporary worker or AKÜ do not have to pay in advance

Please always apply before starting training.

 

Further advantages:

  • Wage reimbursement: if the training takes place during working hours, the AKÜ will later receive a portion of the wage costs back.
  • Combination with subsidies: You can combine training with educational leave, part-time education, or a skilled worker scholarship. The SWF may pay a subsidy, depending on your income and the amount of the subsidy.
     

What are training and further education programs?

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.

Browse our training and further education directory!

Der Claim des SWF. Mehr Weiterbildung. Mehr Unterstützung. Mehr Zukunft.
Drei selbstbewusst wirkende und lächelnde Frauen befinden sich in einem Lagerhaus. Eine trägt einen Schutzhelm. Lächelnde Teilnehmer in einem Seminar blicken aufmerksam nach vorne. Bild symbolisiert Freude am Lernen
Drei Kollegen arbeiten und beraten sich gemeinsam vor zwei Computerbildschirmen

Who can apply for training and further education?

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.

Drei selbstbewusst wirkende und lächelnde Frauen befinden sich in einem Lagerhaus. Eine trägt einen Schutzhelm.
Wir unterstützen Zeitarbeitskräfte durch die Förderung von überbetrieblichen Aus- und Weiterbildungen, um Ihre Chancen am Arbeitsmarkt zu verbessern.

© Copyright

Drei Kollegen arbeiten und beraten sich gemeinsam vor zwei Computerbildschirmen
Wir unterstützen Zeitarbeitskräfte durch die Förderung von überbetrieblichen Aus- und Weiterbildungen, um Ihre Chancen am Arbeitsmarkt zu verbessern.

© Copyright

Verschwommene Aufnahme eines hellen Seminarraums mit Referenten und Teilnehmern vor einer Tafel
Wir unterstützen Zeitarbeitskräfte durch die Förderung von überbetrieblichen Aus- und Weiterbildungen, um Ihre Chancen am Arbeitsmarkt zu verbessern.

© Copyright

1/1

How can I apply for training and further education?

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 and further education.

Applying via temporary employment agency (AKÜ):

  • The temporary employment agency pays for the training and further education.

  • 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 temporary worker (ZA):

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

  • The invoice is issued to the temporary worker.

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

Additional benefits for training and further education

  • 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.

 

Helpful downloads for the application process