Austria: Shortage Occupation List Expanded and Beneficial Rules for Seasonal Workers Implemented

In an effort to combat ongoing labor shortages, the Austrian government has expanded the national and regional occupation lists to include additional jobs within the following sectors: hospitality (waiters, cooks, butchers); health care (nursing assistants and doctors); technology (information technology specialists); finance (accountants); and manual labor (stonemasons).  The government also made changes to the seasonal worker quota policy. Seasonal workers can now register as “Regular/Frequent Seasoners” if they have worked within eligible sectors (tourism, agriculture or forestry) for at least three months for three years in a five-year period; this status will allow them to be exempt from the seasonal worker quota, allowing additional individuals to work in the country in seasonal positions. The quota is revised on a bi-annual basis by the Austrian Federal Minister of Labour and varies by province. Eligible applicants register as seasonal workers at the competent labour office.