Office and business administration
Office administrators take care of orders, invoices, staff matters and customer contact. Almost every company and organisation needs them.
Typical tasks
- answering emails and calls and organising appointments
- processing quotes, orders and invoices
- entering and maintaining data in software
- helping with accounting and HR administration
- preparing meetings and producing documents
Where people work
Office administrators work in offices of companies in every sector, in public authorities, associations, hospitals and schools.
A good fit if
- you like organising and keeping track of things
- you work carefully
- you are comfortable with numbers
- you are friendly with people on the phone and by email
Education pathways in Austria
In Austria there are commercial Lehre (apprenticeship) programmes, for example as an office administrator, and the HAK (business college), which ends with the Matura (school-leaving exam). In Germany the equivalent is the Duale Ausbildung or the Fachoberschule Wirtschaft, in Switzerland the Berufslehre (EFZ) or the Berufsmaturität Wirtschaft.
- Lehre
- Training in a company and at vocational school. With 'Lehre mit Matura' it can also lead to university entrance. 2 to 4 years
- HAK / HLT
- Matura focused on business or tourism. 5 years
Matching schools in Austria
A selection from our school list. Not every school of this type offers every specialisation, so ask the school directly.
- BHAK EisenstadtHAK, 7000 Eisenstadt, BurgenlandCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
- BHAK und BHAS Wien 10HAK, 1100 Wien, WienCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
- Vienna Business School HamerlingplatzPrivate schoolHAK, 1080 Wien, WienCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
Frequently asked questions
How long does the apprenticeship take?
The apprenticeship as an office administrator usually takes three years.
Apprenticeship or HAK?
In an apprenticeship you work in a company from the start. The HAK takes five years, ends with the Matura and also opens the way to university.
Isn't it boring?
It depends on the company. In many firms you deal with lots of people and take on more responsibility over time.
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