Federal authorities operating in Vienna

The Republic of Austria has established a number of authorities in the provinces to perform federal tasks in this specific area. The main federal authorities in Vienna are described below.

Federal School Authorities

The Federal Government has established federal authorities called Provincial School Boards, which are in charge of its tasks regarding school administration in the federal provinces. In Vienna, these tasks are handled by the Vienna School Board. The School Boards report to the competent federal minister. The Governor of the respective province acts as President of the Provincial School Board (and the Vienna School Board in Vienna, respectively.) She or he is generally assisted by two appointed officials, the Executive President and Deputy President of the School Board.

The voting members of the collegial body are nominated by the provincial government based on a proportional system. The collegial bodies are not subject to any directions.

In other provinces (but not in Vienna), additional district school boards have been established at the level of administrative districts.

Universities

The establishment and management of universities and university-like colleges are federal matters and as such do not fall within the competence of provinces or municipalities.

Federal financial administration

Financial administration of the federal state is carried out by federal authorities established for that purpose.

Tax offices in Vienna - the lowest level of financial authority - are generally responsible for several Municipal Districts at a time. Provincial tax authorities are the second level of authority for tax proceedings.

The City of Vienna has no influence on any of these authorities.

Courts of law

One of the fundamental principles of the Austrian Federal Constitution provides that "all jurisdiction is a federal matter", i.e. jurisdiction is exclusively in the hands of the federal state.

Vienna is the seat of the highest courts (federal court of constitution, federal administrative court, supreme court of justice). Jurisdiction at provincial level (and beyond, in some cases) rests with the supreme provincial court, the provincial court, as well as district courts and special tribunals (commercial courts, industrial relations courts, social insurance tribunals). The Federal Province of Vienna has the right to participate in the nomination of juries and lay assessors.

Public Employment Service Austria

As of 1 July 1994, the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS) was set up as a service enterprise under public law independent of direct federal administration.

AMS is made up of one federal office, nine provincial and several regional offices.

Social insurance institutions

Social insurance institutions, e.g. health insurance, general accident insurance and pension insurance, are set up as self-governing bodies. Legal matters involving the provincial governor are referred to the Office of the Vienna Provincial Government.

Chambers

Chambers carry out specific (federal) tasks in Austria. Chambers established include the Chamber of Labour, the Economic Chamber, the Chamber of Agriculture, the Medical Society and the Law Society. They are also responsible for disciplinary mat-ters with respect to their members.