The aim of the Compulsory Education or Training Act 2016 and thus of the "Education until 18" initiative is to ensure that all young people remain in education or training until the age of 18.
This means that young people must complete further training after fulfilling general compulsory schooling and are thus better prepared for the profes­sional demands of the future than before. The main aim is to reach those young people who need support finding a suitable training course.

Education and Training which meet the Compulsory Education or Training up to the age of 18 can be fulfilled in particular by:

• Attendance of a Secondary School (Academic Secondary School, College for Higher Vocational Education, School for Intermediate Vocational Education)
• A valid apprenticeship or training contract under the Vocational Training Act or the Agricultural and Forestry Vocational Training Act
• Training in accordance with health care regulations (e.g. School for Nursing, Education and Training for Healthcare Professions)
• Attendance of courses preparing for the examination for external students (Externistenreifeprüfung) or for individual training courses
• Participation in labour market policy measures
• Participation in a measure for young people with assistance needs (in accordance with the Disabled Persons Act (Behinderteneinstellungsgesetz))
• Employment permitted under § 5 sub. 2 of the Compulsory Education or Training Act

Sources  and further information (in German):

Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung
https://www.bmbwf.gv.at/Themen/schule/beratung/schulinfo/abp18.html

Bundesweite Koordinierungsstelle
https://www.bundeskost.at

AusBildung bis 18
https://ausbildungbis18.at