AQ Austria is a quality assurance agency recognised both in Austria and internationally, operating across several countries. Under its legal mandate established in the Higher Education Quality Assurance Act (HS-QSG) and in line with its public mission, it is responsible for the external quality assurance of higher education institutions in Austria. Its remit covers public universities, public and private universities of education, private higher education institutions (including private universities), and universities of applied sciences.
AQ Austria is guided by the values of public responsibility for quality in higher education, safeguarding academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and academic integrity. It supports higher education institutions in their ongoing quality development and, drawing on its expertise, provides impetus for the further advancement of the higher education system. It also contributes to transparent public information about the quality of higher education institutions across their respective areas of activity.