Austrian universities warn of possible redundancies following the government’s budget decision, and pay negotiations in the technology sector end without an agreement. Read these and other news stories from Austria this Tuesday.
Austrian universities warn of risk of thousands of redundancies
Austria’s public universities warn that thousands of jobs may be at risk following the government’s announcement of a €16 billion budget for public universities between 2028 and 2030. According to the newspaper Der Standard, the rectors say the funding won’t be sufficient to maintain current staffing levels and the range of courses on offer.
Universities Austria (uniko), the body representing public universities, estimates that spending will need to be cut by 10 to 15 per cent. According to the organisation, the budget doesn’t keep pace with inflation and still includes expenditure previously funded separately. This could affect teaching, research and the range of subjects offered to students.
The government disputes this assessment and says universities need to review their priorities. Representatives of the institutions and students have organised another protest for Thursday, October 22nd, to call for budget changes.
READ ALSO: How much does it cost to study in Austria in 2026?
Wage negotiations for over 90,000 IT workers end without agreement
The first round of wage negotiations in the information technology (IT) sector ended without agreement on Monday, 19 October. According to the newspaper Der Standard, the negotiations involve more than 90,000 workers in Austria.
The GPA trade union is calling for a 3.9 per cent increase in the minimum wages set out in the collective agreement, in the total wage bill actually paid by companies, and in apprentices’ pay. Employers have offered a 2 per cent increase in minimum wages and a 1.2 per cent increase in the total wage bill. This means the proposal doesn’t necessarily guarantee a 1.2 per cent pay rise for all employees.
The union also wants to improve conditions for those who regularly work beyond their contracted hours and to guarantee paid time off on 24 and 31 December. Employers haven’t agreed to these demands.
READ ALSO: What you should know about collective agreements if you work in Austria
Austrian government pushes ahead with social welfare reform
The Austrian government is pressing ahead with plans to reform the country’s social welfare system, known as Sozialhilfe. According to the Federal Chancellery, the proposal includes an integration phase for beneficiaries and stricter conditions for labour market participation and cooperation with the authorities.
Currently, the nine Austrian states administer social assistance, each with its own rules for paying benefits. The reform aims to change how the system is organised, but key details, such as benefit amounts, eligibility, and when the new rules will take effect, haven’t been finalised yet.
The proposal is already attracting criticism from the opposition. In Styria, FPÖ social affairs councillor Hannes Amesbauer has criticised the federal government for insufficiently involving the provinces in preparing the reform. He also warned against changes that could increase the state’s costs.
READ ALSO: ‘Work, learn German, integrate’: Austria to tighten welfare system for foreigners
Average price of a day ski pass exceeds €70 in Austria
Skiing in Austria could prove even more expensive this winter. A survey by the travel platform Urlaubshamster shows that the average price of an adult day pass reached €70.33 during the main season for 2026/2027. The survey analysed 113 ski areas, 88 of which had fixed day-pass prices.
Among the resorts analysed, Ski Arlberg has one of the highest prices at €85 per day. Smaller resorts, such as Koralpe and Venet, offer considerably cheaper options. The survey also identified significant price increases at major resorts compared with the 2019/2020 winter season.
However, the final price may vary depending on the purchase date, available discounts, and dynamic pricing. A private tourism company, rather than an official industry body, conducted the survey.
READ ALSO: Why skiing is getting pricier in Austria and when to book to get better deals
Guide for those living in Austria
A new study estimates that up to 57,000 people in Austria lacked health insurance at the start of 2025, despite the country’s public healthcare system. Whether you’re employed, self-employed, or moving to Austria without a job, your health insurance options depend on your situation.
In our guide, Do foreigners need health insurance in Austria?, we explain who needs cover and the options available to employees, the self-employed, students, and family members.
Members of The Local Austria receive access to the full guide, covering contributions, voluntary insurance, and rules for tourists. The subscription also includes additional articles and practical guides on work, documentation, and life in Austria.
READ ALSO: What foreigners need to know about the Austrian healthcare system
What’s happening in Austria today
In Linz, the Pöstlingbergbahn tourist tram (line 50) will be suspended between Landgutstraße and Pöstlingberg from approximately 9 am to 4 pm until Thursday, October 22nd. Linz AG will provide replacement buses. Passengers travelling from Hauptplatz can use lines 3 or 4 to reach Landgutstraße.
Anyone seeking work in Vienna can visit the PERSPEKTIVE 2026 job fair at the MAK museum from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. The event brings together organisations offering job opportunities and support for jobseekers. The fair is particularly aimed at unemployed jobseekers and those returning to employment. No registration is required, although visitors invited through the AMS are asked to attend at their allocated time. The Ministry of Finance will also present a new national financial education strategy at 4 pm.
The forecast calls for sunny spells across much of Austria on Tuesday, though some regions may start the day with mist or low cloud. Maximum temperatures are expected to range from 11C to 18C across most of the country, with some Alpine valleys reaching up to 20C. In Vienna, the forecast high is approximately 16C, whilst Innsbruck could reach 20C. Stronger winds are also forecast in the Alps and eastern Austria.
READ ALSO: Jobs in Austria: the best job fairs to attend this season
German vocabulary
der Kollektivvertrag – collective labour agreement, which sets minimum wages and other conditions for a particular occupational group.
die Sozialhilfe – social assistance, a benefit for people who need financial support to cover basic needs.
der Landtag – state parliament, responsible for passing laws in each Austrian state.
der Skipass – a pass that allows you to use the ski lifts and access the slopes at a ski resort.
If you have questions about life in Austria, or suggestions for stories or information that could make the news on The Local, email news@thelocal.at or leave a comment below.