Agency Work in Austria

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Agency work in Austria at a glance

Agency work in Austria generally involves a three-party arrangement: a worker is engaged by an agency and assigned to a user undertaking, while the agency remains the formal employer. The user directs the day-to-day work during the assignment.

This model gives organisations flexibility and additional capacity. Because three parties are involved, the conditions for assigned workers and the split of responsibilities between agency and user are central to how the arrangement is framed.

Key general points

• Agency work typically involves a worker, an agency and a user undertaking.
• The agency is generally the formal employer of the assigned worker.
• The user directs the day-to-day tasks during the assignment.
• Responsibilities are usually split between agency and user.
• Assignment terms describe the role, location and duration.
• Working conditions for assigned workers are a recognised topic.
• Collective frameworks can be relevant to assigned workers.

What this means for user undertakings

• Be clear on which responsibilities sit with you and which with the agency.
• Provide a clear assignment brief covering role, location and duration.
• Ensure on-site induction and safety arrangements for assigned workers.
• Coordinate closely with the agency on day-to-day matters.
• Confirm the current requirements that apply to agency arrangements.

What this means for workers

• Understand that the agency is generally your formal employer.
• Check the assignment terms covering role, location and duration.
• Know who to contact for employment matters versus day-to-day issues.
• Ask whether a collective framework affects your conditions.
• Keep copies of your assignment documents.

Confirm the specifics with the authorities

The detailed rules on agency work in Austria — including the responsibilities of agencies and user undertakings and the conditions for assigned workers — can vary by situation and may change over time. Confirm the current position with the Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Wirtschaft and the Arbeiterkammer, and seek qualified advice. This page is general information, not legal advice. HRHelperG is not a recruitment agency; it can help connect employers with suitable recruitment partners.

Common misunderstandings

• Assuming the user undertaking is the formal employer of an agency worker.
• Overlooking that responsibilities are split between agency and user.
• Ignoring collective frameworks that may apply to assigned workers.
• Treating assignment terms as interchangeable with a direct contract.
• Forgetting on-site induction and safety duties toward assigned workers.