As a nurse in Austria, the applicable collective agreement (Kollektivvertrag) and your employment contract (Dienstvertrag) mainly determine your pay, how your working time is organised and which allowances you receive. This guide gives you an overview of your key rights at work — as orientation, not legal advice.
Key takeaways
- Pay, leave and allowances follow the collective agreement (KV) that applies to your employer — e.g. SWÖ, a provincial KV or church-affiliated providers.
- Your employment contract sets out your role, classification, working time and probation — read it carefully before signing.
- Working time, rest periods and overtime are regulated by law (the Working Time Act), but the exact details vary by KV and contract.
- If you have questions, the works council, the Chamber of Labour (AK) and the union help — free of charge and confidential.
The collective agreement: the foundation of your working conditions
A collective agreement (Kollektivvertrag, KV) is an agreement between the union and the relevant employer association. It sets minimum standards for an entire sector or group of providers — such as pay scales, leave entitlements, allowances and framework rules on working time. These standards apply collectively to everyone covered by the respective KV.
In nursing there is no single collective agreement — which one applies to you depends on your employer. A common one is the SWÖ-KV (Sozialwirtschaft Österreich) for many non-profit social and care organisations. Institutions run by the federal provinces often have their own provincial agreements or public-service rules, and church-affiliated providers such as Caritas or Diakonie may have their own frameworks.
Which KV applies to me?
The collective agreement that applies to you is usually named in your employment contract. If not, ask the HR department, the works council or the Chamber of Labour.
The employment contract: what to check before you sign
The employment contract governs your individual working relationship. It may not fall below the applicable collective agreement, but it can offer better conditions. Take your time before signing and check these points in particular:
- Your role and area of work (e.g. registered nurse, nursing specialist assistant, nursing assistant)
- Your KV classification / pay group and salary step
- Recognition of previous relevant service for your classification
- Working-time volume (full-time/part-time) and shift or roster model
- Probation period, any fixed term and notice periods
- Place of work and any transfer clauses
Tip
Ask for anything unclear to be explained in writing and never sign under time pressure. The recognition of previous service in particular directly affects your classification and pay — it is worth asking.
Working time, rosters and overtime
Nursing often means shift or roster work — with day, night and weekend shifts. The main legal framework is the Working Time Act (Arbeitszeitgesetz, AZG): it regulates maximum working hours, rest periods between shifts and breaks. The collective agreement and company agreements can add further detail.
Additional hours and overtime are compensated according to the applicable collective agreement — usually through surcharges or time off in lieu. Exactly how, at what rate and from when depends on your KV and your employment contract. You will find the specific limits and surcharges in your KV or from the works council.
Leave, sick leave and allowances
Austria has a statutory minimum leave entitlement; many collective agreements or longer service can provide more. The calculation depends, among other things, on your working-time volume and recognised previous service.
During sick leave you are generally entitled to continued pay — its duration and extent depend on your length of service and the statutory and collective-agreement rules. Report sick leave promptly and provide the required proof.
For demanding shifts, the collective agreement usually provides allowances and surcharges, for example:
- Night, Sunday and public-holiday surcharges
- Allowances for on-call, standby or rotating shift work
- Hardship or hazard allowances (depending on your area of work)
- Special payments such as holiday and Christmas pay (13th and 14th salary)
Whether and to what extent you are entitled to these allowances is set out in the respective collective agreement.
Where to get help and advice
If you have questions or problems at work, you do not have to decide alone. Several bodies advise employees — often free of charge and confidentially:
- Works council (Betriebsrat) — your elected representation directly within the workplace
- Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer, AK) — free employment-law advice for employees
- Union (e.g. vida or GPA) — advice, legal protection and collective-agreement negotiations
- Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) — the umbrella body of the unions
- Labour Inspectorate (Arbeitsinspektorat) — responsible for questions on working time and worker protection
For orientation only
Employment law is complex and depends heavily on the applicable collective agreement and your employment contract. The information in this guide does not replace legal advice. The binding sources are always the collective agreement that applies to you, your employment contract and the advice of the Chamber of Labour.
Frequently asked questions
Which collective agreement applies to me in nursing?
It depends on your employer. Common examples are the SWÖ-KV for non-profit providers, provincial agreements for institutions run by the federal provinces, and separate frameworks for church-affiliated providers. Your employment contract usually names it; if in doubt, ask the works council or the Chamber of Labour.
What should I check before signing my employment contract?
Check your role, your KV classification and salary step, the recognition of previous service, your working-time volume and shift model, and the probation period and notice periods. Have anything unclear explained before you sign.
How are night shifts and Sunday work paid?
Through allowances and surcharges under the applicable collective agreement. The exact amounts vary by KV, so check your collective agreement or ask the works council. There is no single, universal rate.
Who can I turn to if I have problems at work?
The works council, the Chamber of Labour (AK) and your union advise employees free of charge and confidentially. The Chamber of Labour in particular gives binding employment-law information.
