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Automatically translated with AI

This page was automatically translated using AI and serves as an additional aid and service. For legally binding content, please use the German page.

Eine Referentin präsentiert verschiedene Berufsbezeichnungen an einer Tafel während einer Schulung.

Values and Orientation Courses

Information for migrants

Values and orientation

Values and Orientation Courses

Information for migrants

The values and orientation courses provide essential foundations for life in Austria. Participants receive information on work, education, and community life, as well as on rights and responsibilities. The course lasts five days. The language of instruction is German. Interpreters are available upon request in Arabic, Dari/Farsi, Pashto, Russian, Turkish, English, and Somali.

Who is the course for?

The course is for refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection who have only recently arrived in Austria.

The course is mandatory for those aged 15 and over:

  • Refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection
  • Third-country nationals receiving social assistance or minimum income support

How do I register for the course?

During your consultation with the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), you will be registered for a values and orientation course. There, you will be informed of your course date and location.

These are the five course days

Day 1: Learning German and Education

  • Learn and practice German
  • School, education and further training
  • History of Austria

Day 2: Work

  • Looking for work and applying
  • Rights and obligations at work
  • Taxes and social system

Day 3: State, Democracy and Laws

  • Democracy and laws in Austria
  • Rights and obligations
  • Equality between women and men
  • Protection from violence

Day 4: Safety and Coexistence

  • Respect and good coexistence
  • Police and security
  • Discrimination, anti-Semitism and extremism

Day 5: Belonging

  • Culture and traditions
  • Volunteering and honorary office
  • Participating in society

Practical training days

After the values and orientation course, you can participate in practical days. These involve visiting organizations, memorial sites, and cultural institutions in Austria, for example.

Frequently asked questions and answers about the values and orientation course

The values and orientation course is compulsory from the age of 15 for:

  • Refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection
  • Third-country nationals receiving social assistance or minimum income support

During your consultation at the ÖIF, you will find out whether you need to attend the course.

You will be registered for the values and orientation course during your consultation with the ÖIF.

There you will also find out when and where your course takes place.

The course will be held in German.

If you need assistance, interpreters are available upon request. Interpreting services are offered in Arabic, Dari/Farsi, Pashto, Russian, Turkish, English, and Somali.

Yes. You must attend all five course days in full and in the prescribed order.

You must attend the course on the first day. If you miss the first day, the course will be considered cancelled. You will then be given a new course date.

An excused interruption is possible from the second day of the course.

These reasons are recognized:

  • They are sick.
  • You have to care for another person.
  • birth of one's own child

You must provide proof of this.

Send your proof by email to kursverwaltung@integrationsfonds.at. You can also submit the proof in person at an ÖIF integration center.

You must submit proof within one month. The ÖIF will then inform you about a new course date.

You must attend the remaining course days within three months. Otherwise, you will have to start the course again from the first day.

You can cancel your course up to one working day before the course starts or request a new date.

Please send an email to kursverwaltung@integrationsfonds.at.

Further information and offers