Austria's Administrative Court adopts updated Women's Advancement Plan, replacing 2024 version
The President of the Administrative Court (Verwaltungsgerichtshof) issued a new Women's Advancement Plan (Frauenförderungsplan) effective 13 August 2026, replacing the 2024 regulation (BGBl. II Nr. 171/2024). It sets binding measures and statistical targets to increase the share of women in judicial, managerial, and civil-service roles at the court.
What changed
A revised Women's Advancement Plan replaces the 2024 edition. Updated staffing statistics are included: as of 31 December 2025, women make up 39.71% of judges, 33.33% of designated leadership functions, and 69.92% of civil-service/contract staff, for an overall share of 59.70%. The plan targets approximately 44% female judges by 2029 and 48% by 2033, assuming at least 50% of new judicial appointments go to women.
Who is affected
All current and future employees of the Administrative Court — judges, civil servants, and contract staff — are covered, including those on parental or care leave. Managers, training supervisors, and the Equal Treatment Officer (Gleichbehandlungsbeauftragte/r) have specific obligations under the plan.
Key obligations
When candidates are equally qualified, women must be given priority in hiring and promotion wherever they are under-represented (below 50%). Panels and committees deciding on personnel matters must include at least one female and one male member. Harassment, mobbing, and bossing are explicitly prohibited, and employees who file complaints must not face disadvantage. Training opportunities must be scheduled in a way that allows employees with care responsibilities to participate.
What to look out for
The court president must submit a statistical gender-breakdown report to the Equal Treatment Working Group by 31 January each year. All recruitment processes in under-represented categories must be notified to the Equal Treatment Officer immediately. Job postings in areas with a female share below 50% must explicitly invite women to apply.