Austria sits at the cultural heart of Europe – a compact, safe, and extraordinarily beautiful country that offers Australian and New Zealand students a genuine Central European experience. The land of Mozart, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Ringstrasse, and the Alps, Austria rewards curious students who want more than a postcard version of Europe.
For students interested in music, art, architecture, or the outdoors, Austria is particularly compelling. And as a German-speaking country with strong international connections, the language skills you develop here open doors across Central Europe and beyond.
*Austria will consider accepting students aged 14 on arrival to program on a case by case basis.
Austrian family life is structured, warm, and often closely tied to the rhythms of the seasons. Winter brings skiing and Advent markets; summer brings hiking, cycling, and lake swimming. Many host families will introduce you to regional traditions that vary significantly between Vienna, Salzburg, Tyrol, and Styria – Austria is a small country with rich local identity.
The school system in Austria is well-regarded and academically rigorous. Students often comment that the depth of humanities and science teaching in Austrian schools challenges and stretches them in ways their home curriculum didn’t.
German is the language of the exchange. Pre-departure language preparation is provided, and immersion accelerates progress quickly. German skills gained in Austria are directly transferable to Germany and Switzerland.
There are a vast variety of schools in Austria, including Gymnasiums (which prepare students for university), vocational or technical schools. It is very likely that during your stay in Austria you will be able to explore new areas of knowledge or that you can specialise in your chosen field.
Austrian secondary schools (AHS – Allgemeinbildende Höhere Schule, or BHS – Berufsbildende Höhere Schule) cover students aged 14–18. The AHS stream focuses on academic preparation for university; the BHS stream combines academic study with technical or vocational specialisation. Core subjects typically include German, Mathematics, Sciences, History, Geography, Arts, and a minimum of two foreign languages. Austrian schools are known for their strong emphasis on classical humanities alongside modern sciences.
Students who do not speak German must be prepared to participate in an online learning program. They will most likely have to participate in language courses (private tutor, in their school or a language school) while on the program, which is not included in the program fee. Please get in touch with us for approximate costs.
Vienna is considered a “melting pot” because of its culturally diverse citizens, but each part of the country also shows different influences from their neighbouring or intrinsic cultures. The Austrian population is very diverse.
There is no “typical” Austrian family: While some of the host families live in urban areas, the majority lives in the countryside. While some families love to do outdoor activities such as skiing or riding a bike, others are more interested in culture, or in socializing with their family members. While some families are large, especially in rural areas, and their grandparents and relatives play an important role in everyday life, other families are quite small and sometimes headed by a single parent. In many families both parents work outside home.
No, students applying do not need to speak German, but students are expected to prepare for their stay in Austria, by learning German before arrival. If you have completed level A2, no additional language course is necessary. All students under the level of B1 must attend a language course in Austria, organized by YFU Austria.
Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, cycling, and lake swimming are all common activities, depending on the season and your placement region. Tyrol and Salzburg in particular offer world-class alpine access.
Most YFU students are placed in an AHS (academic/university-prep) or BHS (academic-plus-vocational) school. Your specific school type will be matched to your profile and academic background.
Austria consistently ranks among the safest countries in Europe. YFU Austria has an established volunteer and support network, and the country’s infrastructure and public transport make independent movement easy and safe for teenagers.
YFU places students across Austria — in Vienna, as well as in Salzburg, Graz, Linz, Innsbruck, and smaller regional towns. Regional placements often provide a more immersive cultural experience than major cities.
Yes. Austria is part of the Schengen Area, and a national long-stay visa (Type D) is required for programs over 90 days. YFU provides full documentation and guidance through the Austrian visa application process.
Enrolment in a public or private school for the first semester and placement in an NGO project for the second semester
Placement in an NGO project (Typically related to childcare, women's care, environmental NGOs)
Our standard all-inclusive program price with no hidden fees.
Host a student and enjoy up to 20% off the program fee, plus receive up to $4000AUD / $4800NZD reimbursement for hosting a student*
Host a student and enjoy up to 20% off the program fee, receive up to $4000AUD / $4800NZD reimbursement for hosting* plus a further $2500 discount when you book your own flights**
*The host a student reimbursement is a payment of $100AUD/$120NZD per week
**When you book your own flights, you will be required to adhere to specific travel dates and arrival times in the destination country. This offer does not include exchange programs to Thailand, Korea, or China.
The first weeks of an exchange student experience in Australia are often filled with excitement, curiosity, and unforgettable firsts. Known as the honeymoon phase of cultural exchange, this is the time when everything feels new—from landscapes and wildlife to food, school, and daily life.
As everybody is speaking about the FIFA World Cup, millions of people around the globe are gathering to cheer for their favourite teams, celebrate different cultures, and experience the excitement that only a global event can create. But while the World Cup lasts only a few weeks, there’s another international experience that can change your life forever: going on a youth exchange.
The Youth Empowerment Seminar is one of YFU’s largest international youth events, bringing together exchange students, volunteers, facilitators and educators from across the globe for an unforgettable week of learning, leadership and intercultural dialogue.
Enquire today about this program. We’ve got experts ready to assist with any enquiry about the countries, programs and the process.
Simply register and attend one of our in-person Information Evenings and you will automatically get $100 off your program fee.
