The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) is, according to the Integration Act, the central point of contact for German language learning within the integration sector. Legal requirements, nationwide uniform standards, and ongoing monitoring are interwoven in a comprehensive quality assurance system, guaranteeing comparable quality of German language course funding throughout Austria. This process begins even before the course starts, with the selection of course providers, and continues throughout the entire course until successful completion.
High quality standards
Course providers are vetted in advance for organizational capacity, professional suitability, and compliance with nationwide quality standards. Course and examination locations must meet defined requirements regarding accessibility, premises, and equipment, and teachers and examiners must demonstrate defined professional and language qualifications as well as regularly participate in professional and pedagogical training.
Nationwide uniform standards
The German courses funded by the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) are based on nationally standardized curricula with clearly defined learning objectives. Coordination ensures that a needs-based range of courses is available in all federal states, that course places are allocated quickly, and that uniform quality standards are implemented. Standardized digital placement tests ensure that participants are assigned to the appropriate course according to their individual language level. For comprehensive transparency, the ÖIF also reports all course attendance information to the federal integration portal according to fixed guidelines – making the ÖIF's German course funding the most transparent in all of Austria.
Ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement
Throughout the entire course duration, the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) monitors the implementation of the German courses through continuous monitoring, on-site evaluations, and professional observations. Learning progress is assessed using nationally standardized integration tests, standardized placement assessments, participant surveys, and evaluations based on objective parameters. The findings from evaluations, tests, data analyses, and feedback are continuously incorporated into the further development of curricula, quality standards, and German course offerings. This ensures the ongoing improvement of the quality of the German courses.
9 out of 10 participants are highly satisfied with ÖIF German courses.
The high quality of the ÖIF German courses is also confirmed by participants and teachers. An externally conducted survey of over 3,300 participants revealed a high level of satisfaction with the course organization, with 88% of respondents expressing satisfaction. While 99% of respondents stated that they regularly apply what they have learned in everyday life, 88% have already noticed a clear improvement in their German language skills. In a parallel survey, 96% of teachers indicated that they find their work meaningful, and 86% were also satisfied with the ÖIF's accompanying professional development program for teachers.
About the ÖIF German courses
In accordance with the Integration Act, the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) provides German language courses for refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, and Ukrainian displaced persons aged 15 and over. The program includes language courses at all levels, from literacy to C1. ÖIF German courses are offered at approximately 250 locations throughout Austria, with new courses starting daily. In addition to the German courses mandated by the Integration Act, the ÖIF provides all immigrants, regardless of their residency status, with a comprehensive range of online German courses and learning resources via the freely accessible ÖIF language portal. This allows for 24/7 German learning alongside employment or caregiving responsibilities.
Further information about the ÖIF German courses can be found in the German courses section of the ÖIF website.