Ministry of Education: Most of the classrooms are occupied
The Austrian Ministry of Education reported that two-thirds of teaching hours for the upcoming school year have been filled, indicating progress after years of teacher shortages in certain subjects and regions. Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) expressed optimism, noting that while some federal states are ahead of others, there are still significant numbers of open positions. The number of open hours increased slightly compared to the initial call for applications, with around 136,300 hours needing to be filled due to last-minute needs such as staff absences or transfers. This corresponds to approximately 6,200 full-time equivalent positions, though including part-time roles and individual open hours brings the total to nearly 9,000 positions. Over 128,000 teachers are currently employed in Austria. The number of applicants has risen since spring, reaching 18,400, with varying levels of interest depending on region, school type, and subject. While many positions in Vienna have been filled, areas like Vorarlberg and Oberösterreich face greater challenges, with only 43% and 50% of their respective teaching hours filled by mid-July.
Austria’s education ministry has confirmed that the majority of teaching positions for the upcoming school year have been filled, marking a notable shift after years of teacher shortages in certain subjects and regions. According to official data, approximately two-thirds of all allocated teaching hours are already secured, with the remaining third still under active recruitment processes. This comes just one month before the start of the academic year, and signals a positive trend in addressing long-standing staffing challenges. The total number of teaching hours requiring coverage amounts to around 136,300, which equates to nearly 6,200 full-time equivalent positions. When including part-time roles and individual open slots, this figure rises to roughly 9,000 posts. Across Austria, over 128,000 teachers are currently employed, indicating a substantial workforce. The number of applicants has also increased significantly since early 2026, rising from 12,900 to 18,400. However, the distribution of these applications varies widely depending on subject area, school type, and regional demand. According to the ministry's data, six weeks prior to the start of the school year, two-thirds of all open teaching positions had either been provisionally or definitively assigned. A third of the positions were still being sought, with some recruitment processes ongoing. Officials within the ministry expressed confidence that these remaining positions would be filled by the time classes begin. The “assignment rate” continues to rise steadily, reflecting progress in resolving staffing issues. Regional disparities remain evident, particularly in Vorarlberg, where the proportion of unfilled teaching hours is notably higher compared to other areas. Despite having the highest number of allocated teaching hours, 35,000, Wien has managed to secure 66 percent of its positions. In contrast, Vorarlberg, due to its proximity to Switzerland and historical difficulties in attracting teachers, has only filled 43 percent of its 12,700 allocated hours. Oberösterreich has filled half of its 22,900 allocated hours, while Burgenland has achieved a 60 percent fill rate for its 3,700 open positions. Other regions show more encouraging results. In Niederösterreich, 77 percent of the 20,700 allocated hours have been filled, and in Salzburg, 75 percent of the 7,700 hours are covered. Tirol has managed to secure 80 percent of its 13,700 allocated hours, with even better performance recorded in Kärnten (83 percent), the Steiermark (85 percent), and the centrally administered schools and practice institutions (86 percent). These figures suggest that while some areas continue to face challenges, others have made considerable strides in filling their teaching positions. Historically, the shortage of teachers has been mitigated through measures such as overtime work and the deployment of student teachers and staff with special contracts. In the previous academic year, over 7,000 full-time equivalent positions were filled through such means. Additionally, there has been increasing reliance on individuals transitioning into teaching from other professions, provided they hold relevant qualifications and experience. Approximately one-tenth of new hires come from non-teaching backgrounds, undergoing further pedagogical training alongside their roles. Despite these efforts, the challenge persists in certain subjects and regions, necessitating continued monitoring and adjustments to ensure adequate staffing levels. As the final days approach before the school year begins, the focus remains on completing the recruitment process and ensuring that all necessary teaching positions are filled to meet educational demands.
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