Plain-language summaries of changes to Austrian federal law. Generated with AI, updated within hours of each official publication.
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Austria's Justice Ministry has issued a regulation permitting civilian prison staff to carry and use pepper spray (irritant spray devices) as a security tool. This regulation took effect on 26 August 2026.
Austria has restored and modernized key sections of a 1948 health regulation governing who may perform medical tests and laboratory work with disease agents. Laboratories must now follow strict safety rules, and staff require clearance and mandatory health checks.
The consolidated text of the ASGG was updated on 24 August 2026, mainly by adding the complete transitional-provisions chapter (§ 98). The key new entry, § 98(34), confirms that the 2026 amendment to § 7 para. 2 no. 4 — governing court-panel composition in labour and social cases — will enter into force on 1 January 2027.
Austria's non-contentious court procedure law now clarifies that certified documents—whether paper or electronic—must be stored in the court certification archive (Beglaubigungsarchiv der Justiz) with the party's consent, for at least ten years. The law abbreviation "AußStrG" has also been formally added.
This is an editorial update to Austria's 1961 Judge Service Act. No changes to judges' rights, duties, salaries, or appointment rules.
Austria's Federal Conciliation Office has set binding pay rates for all homeworkers engaged in toy manufacturing or processing nationwide. The tariff—effective June 1, 2026—requires contractors to pay at least €11.78 per hour (calculated as piece rates) plus a mandatory 10% homework supplement.
Austria's Federal Conciliation Office has repealed the pay tariff for home workers (Heimarbeiter) producing handcrafted items. The tariff, which set minimum hourly wages of €11.53 (qualified) and €9.87 (unqualified) plus a 10% home-work supplement and statutory bonuses, was in force from 1 May 2025 and is now repealed as of 31 May 2026.
Austria's Federal Arbitration Office has set mandatory wage rates and working-time standards for outworkers (Heimarbeiter) engaged in brush and bristle manufacturing nationwide. The tariff takes effect June 1, 2026.
Austria's Federal Conciliation Office has issued a binding wage tariff for home workers (Heimarbeiter) engaged in qualified or non-qualified manufacture of craft articles. The tariff sets hourly rates of €11.99 (qualified) and €10.33 (non-qualified), plus a 10% home work supplement and statutory leave/Christmas payments, effective June 1, 2026.
A new federal pay scale sets minimum wages for home workers manufacturing plastic items (tubes, pumps, dispensers for cosmetics and food products) in Gmünd district, Lower Austria, effective June 1, 2026.
A federal wage tariff for home workers in button manufacturing and adjustment (excluding thread buttons) has been repealed as of May 31, 2026 by Federal Law Gazette II No. 256/2026. Home workers previously paid under this tariff (12.65 € per hour plus 10% home-work supplement) are affected.
The Federal Arbitration Office has issued a new mandatory wage scale for homeworkers in Austria who perform envelope-stuffing, addressing, and packaging work. The scale takes effect on 1 April 2026 and sets piece rates based on a standard hourly wage of €11.39, plus a 10% overhead allowance and annual bonuses.
A regulation setting minimum wages and allowances for home workers (Heimarbeiter) in toy manufacturing has been repealed as of May 31, 2026, by amendment BGBl. II 252/2026. Home workers in this sector are affected.
Austria's Federal Conciliation Office has issued a binding pay tariff for self-employed homeworkers producing and adjusting button goods (excluding twist buttons). The tariff sets piece-rate compensation at €13.11 per hour plus a 10% homeworker supplement, effective 1 June 2026.
Austria's Federal Conciliation Office has established a mandatory minimum wage tariff for self-employed home workers (Heimarbeiter) producing or processing basket and wicker goods. The tariff sets piece rates calculated at €11.78 per hour plus a 10% home-work surcharge, effective 1 June 2026.
The Federal Arbitration Office has established binding pay rates for self-employed home-based woodworkers (Heimarbeiter) producing wooden goods. The tariff sets an hourly rate of €11.78 for calculating piece-work payments, plus a 10% home-work surcharge, effective 1 June 2026.
Austria's Federal Arbitration Office has issued a binding wage tariff for self-employed homeworkers engaged in manufacturing or processing plastic goods. The tariff sets a minimum hourly rate of €12.18, applies nationwide, and took effect on 1 June 2026.
The 2023 Women's Advancement Plan (Frauenförderungsplan) of the Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport (BMKÖS) has been formally repealed by BGBl. II Nr. 247/2026 with effect from 18 August 2026. Civil servants of the ministry and the Federal Monuments Office are affected.
The Austrian Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport has issued a binding women's advancement plan (Frauenförderungsplan) effective 19 August 2026. This plan sets targets and measures for promoting gender equality within the ministry's civil service workforce.
Austria's Foreign Ministry has set percentage rates for calculating purchasing-power allowances (Kaufkraftausgleichszulagen) for Austrian federal civil servants and contract staff posted overseas. These rates, effective for August 2026, vary by diplomatic post to reflect local cost-of-living differences.