Agency work in Austria

Many production and logistics jobs in Austria are filled through temporary employment agencies (Personalbereitsteller or Arbeitskräfteüberlasser). This is a normal and regulated way of working, but it differs from being hired directly by the company where you work.

Who is your employer?

With agency work there are three parties:

• The agency – your legal employer. You sign your employment contract with the agency, and it pays your salary.
• The client company – where you actually work and receive daily instructions.
• You – the employee.

Some job ads are published by agencies, some by the client company, and some by third parties such as job platforms. Always check who your employer will be before you sign.

Pay and rules

Agency work in Austria is regulated by the Temporary Agency Work Act (Arbeitskräfteüberlassungsgesetz, AÜG) and a collective agreement for agency work. In general, agency workers must receive pay that is at least comparable to what the client company’s collective agreement provides for similar work. Ask which collective agreement and pay group apply to you.

Contracts and permanent employment

Agencies often advertise that a “takeover” (Übernahme) by the client company is possible. That can happen, but it is never automatic. If permanent employment is important to you, ask how often takeovers happen and under what conditions – and get any promise in writing.

Before you sign, ask

1. Who is my legal employer?
2. Which collective agreement and pay group apply?
3. What is my gross pay at the start and later?
4. Is the contract fixed-term or open-ended?
5. What happens if the assignment at the client company ends?

Your rights

As an agency worker you have the same core rights as other employees in Austria, including paid holiday and sick pay. If you are unsure, the Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer) offers free advice to employees.