Approximately one-third of Lower Austria’s hospital doctors currently work part-time. To address this trend, the regional government has introduced a €1,000 gross monthly bonus for doctors who commit to full-time roles. This initiative, announced Tuesday, aims to make full-time positions more appealing and to increase doctor availability in the region’s hospitals.
Lower Austria currently employs 4,045 doctors in its hospitals, marking a 500-doctor increase since 2015. Despite this growth, average weekly working hours have dropped by 1.81 hours over the last nine years. To counter this decline, the new financial incentives are being offered. Doctors entitled to part-time positions for reasons such as parental leave, age, or care responsibilities will receive a proportional bonus, while other part-time staff, including those on educational leave, are not eligible.
Additional Pay for Night Shifts and New Career Pathways
The bonus system also includes an extra €200 per night shift, supplementing the existing hardship allowance, with the salary increases effective January 1, 2025. A new career model aims to introduce more flexible advancement opportunities for doctors in Lower Austria’s hospitals. This model will create additional roles, such as senior functional doctors and managing senior doctors, to encourage greater team leadership and accountability.
€64 Million Investment in Health Sector Revamp
Lower Austria is investing €64 million in this new salary and career structure. Regional Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner described it as “a significant milestone toward the Health Pact 2040+,” with State Councilor Ludwig Schleritzko emphasizing that the model reflects “new conditions” and provides “incentives for our young doctors.”
Leaders in Lower Austria’s medical and health organizations have expressed support for the new measures. Wolfgang Walentich, chair of the doctors’ union in Lower Austria’s Medical Association, called it “an important step toward quality public healthcare in our hospitals.” The head of the Central Works Council of the State Health Agency (LGA), Gottfried Feiertag, noted it as a “performance-oriented step toward staff retention.” LGA Board Chairman Konrad Kogler added, “We are strengthening medical care in Lower Austria and creating incentives for greater responsibility and commitment in the healthcare system.”
