Temporary staffing

Find a staffing agency – fast, verified, anonymous

Need extra people at short notice? How to find a staffing agency for temporary staffing, compare offers and know the key rules.

Post a job for free

When temporary staffing fits

Peaks in demand

More work for a few weeks or months, without creating permanent positions.

Cover

Parental leave, long illness or a sabbatical: the work keeps going.

Projects

A fixed-term project needs specialists with exactly the right experience.

Get to know first

You see the person at work and decide on a permanent hire later.

What you should know

  1. 1

    Permit from the Federal Employment Agency

    Agencies that lease employees need a permit under § 1 AÜG. Ask to see it.

  2. 2

    At most 18 months

    The same person may generally be leased to the same company for at most 18 months; collective agreements can differ.

  3. 3

    Equal pay

    After nine months on assignment, equal pay generally applies; with sector surcharges, after 15 months at the latest (§ 8 AÜG).

  4. 4

    Person named in advance

    Before the assignment starts, the leased person is named in the staffing contract.

  5. 5

    Agree on takeover

    Many contracts include a takeover fee if you later hire the person permanently.

What does temporary staffing cost?

You pay an hourly billing rate. It covers wages, non-wage labour costs and the agency's margin. Always compare offers by the hourly rate including surcharges.

Compare with placement

Checklist: finding the right staffing agency

These questions separate good agencies from quick offers.

  • Valid permit?

    Ask to see the permit under § 1 AÜG – with date and issuing employment agency.

  • Industry experience

    Does the agency know your industry and have candidates with the right qualifications?

  • Response time

    How quickly can they propose someone, and who is your regular contact?

  • Transparent hourly rate

    Are surcharges for nights, weekends and overtime clearly listed?

  • Takeover

    From when and at what cost may you hire the person permanently?

Ask several staffing agencies – anonymously

On SilentHire you post the position as temporary staffing, without your company name. Temporary staffing jobs are only unlocked for agencies once SilentHire has checked their permit. Every proposal comes with the billing rate, and only those you release contact to learn your name.

Post a job for free

The platform is free for companies. You agree on the billing rate directly with the staffing agency.

Frequently asked questions: finding a staffing agency

What does a temporary worker cost?

You pay the agency an hourly billing rate. It covers wages, non-wage labour costs and margin and depends on qualification, industry and region.

How long may a temporary worker be deployed?

Generally at most 18 consecutive months at the same company (§ 1 (1b) AÜG). Collective agreements in the client's industry can set other limits.

When does equal pay apply?

After nine months on assignment, the temporary worker is generally entitled to the same pay as comparable permanent staff. With sector surcharges, after 15 months at the latest.

May I hire a temporary worker permanently?

Yes. Many staffing contracts include a takeover fee that decreases with the length of the assignment. Clarify the terms before the assignment starts.

How do I recognise a reputable staffing agency?

By a valid permit under § 1 AÜG, transparent hourly rates and clear takeover terms. On SilentHire we check the permit before an agency can see temporary staffing jobs.

Sources

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026