• Members

    The AOB consists of three members who work together in a collegial way. They are elected for a term of six years by the Austrian Parliament (National Council) and can be re-elected once. The members of the AOB are independent in the performance of their duties. They cannot be voted out, recalled or removed from office. The ombudspersons are sworn in by the Federal President.

    The members of the AOB must be eligible for the National Council and must have knowledge in the fields of the organisation and functioning of administration. As the AOB also monitors and controls the compliance with human rights standards, the members must have relevant knowledge in this area as well.

    Gaby Schwarz, Bernhard Achitz and Walter Rosenkranz were elected by the National Council for the term of office until June 2025. The Chair of the AOB rotates annually at the end of June. Currently, Gaby Schwarz is holding this position.

  • Gaby Schwarz

    Gaby Schwarz is a Member of the Austrian Ombudsman Board since  July 2022. Being the Secretary General of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) she also commits herself to the fostering of democracy and the rule of law and the strengthening of Ombudsman institutions worldwide.

    At the federal level, Schwarz is responsible for taxes, fees, duties, the administration of the judiciary, public prosecution, European and international affairs and national defence. At the provincial level, Schwarz monitors local governments and all communal matters (regional planning, building legislation, housing and settlement, regional and municipal roads) as well as cemetery administration and communal or municipal transport services.

     

    You can contact Ombudsperson Gaby Schwarz under:

    Ombudsperson Gaby Schwarz

    Volksanwaltschaft
    Singerstraße 17
    1015 Wien

    Telefon +43 / (0)1 / 515 05 - 131
    Fax +43 / (0)1 / 515 05 - 170

    E-Mail:  vab@volksanwaltschaft.gv.at

     

    For specific complaints addressed to Ombudsman Amon please use the electronic complaint form or come to a Consultation day.

    • Volksanwältin Gaby Schwarz
      Ombudsperson Gaby Schwarz (© AOB / Photo Simonis)

  • Bernhard Achitz

    Ombudsman Bernhard Achitz was sworn in by the Federal President on 1 July 2019.

    Bernhard Achitz is responsible for social, nursing and health matters. At the federal level this includes health, pension and accident insurance as well as matters concerning labour-market administration and youth and family. 

    Ombudsman Mag. Bernhard Achitz was born on 20 July 1965 in Vienna. He studied law at the University of Vienna and graduated with a Master’s Degree. After completing his legal clerkship he worked at the Social Policy Department of the Chamber of Labour in Vienna. Thereafter he led the Department of Social Policy in the Austrian Trade Union Confederation until 2007. From 2008 to June 2019 he was Chief Secretary of the ÖGB (Austrian Trade Union Federation) and thus also a member of the ÖGB Board. He was also a member of the board of the Federal Chamber of Labour.

    Bernhard Achitz worked for the ÖGB in various positions at the labour market administration and health administration. From 1999 to 2008 he was a member of the Administrative Council of the Public Employment Service of Austria. Moreover, he was a long-term member of the Association's Executive Committee, and from 2006 on first Deputy Chairman. From 1 April 2019 to June 2019, he was a member and the Deputy Chairman of the Transition Committee in the General Accident Insurance Institute (AUVA).

    From June 30, 2003 to January 31, 2005, he worked as representative of the ÖGB at the Fundamental Rights Committee of the Austrian-Konvent. As delegation member at several annual meetings of the International Labor Organization (ILO) as well as at congresses of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), he also advocated for trade unions and human rights at the international level.

    You can contact Ombudsman Bernhard Achitz under:

    Ombudsman Bernhard Achitz

    Volksanwaltschaft
    Singerstraße 17
    1015 Wien

    Telefon +43 / (0)1 / 515 05 - 111
    Fax +43 / (0)1 / 515 05 - 160

    E-Mail: vaa@volksanwaltschaft.gv.at

     

    For specific complaints addressed to Ombudsman Amon please use the electronic complaint form or come to a Consultation day.

    • Volksanwalt Mag. Bernhard Achitz
      Ombudsman Mag. Bernhard Achitz (© AOB / Photo Simonis)

  • Walter Rosenkranz

    Walter Rosenkranz is a member of the Austrian Ombudsman Board since 1 July 2019. At the federal level, he is responsible for internal affairs (police law, law relating to aliens, legislation on asylum), agriculture, forestry and water management, nature conservation, preservation of cultural heritage sites, trade, operational facilities and plant operating permits, nursery schools, schools and universities. At the provincial level, he monitors matters concerning traffic and agriculture as well as municipal taxes and levies.

    Ombudsman Walter Rosenkranz was born on July 29, 1962 in Krems an der Donau (Lower Austria). He graduated from school in Krems and completed a training as a music teacher between 1978 and 1980. Subsequently, Walter Rosenkranz attended the University of Music and Performing Arts and studied law at the University of Vienna. After completing his studies, he completed his military service.

    Between 1991 and 1992 Rosenkranz worked as a contract agent in the Federal Ministry of Defense. Thereafter he worked for two years as a lawyer for the FPÖ Landtag Club in Vienna and in 1994 for the State Party Secretary of the FPÖ Vienna. From 1995 to 2000 he was a trainee lawyer. Since 2000, Walter Rosenkranz worked as a defence lawyer. In addition, he was a Member of the National Council between October 2008 and June 2019. From 2017 to May 2019 he was club chairman of the FPÖ. From 2013 to 2019 he was also party chairman of the FPÖ in Lower Austria.

    You can contact Ombudsman Walter Rosenkranz under:

    Ombudsman Walter Rosenkranz

    Volksanwaltschaft
    Singerstraße 17
    1015 Wien

    Telefon +43 / (0)1 / 515 05 - 121
    Fax +43 / (0)1 / 515 05 - 180

    E-Mail: vac@volksanwaltschaft.gv.at

     

    For specific complaints addressed to Ombudsman Amon please use the electronic complaint form or come to a Consultation day.

    • Volksanwalt Dr. Walter Rosenkranz
      Ombudsman Dr. Walter Rosenkranz (© AOB / Photo Simonis)