This chapter focuses on the following question: how can (and does) care work within the family contribute to the social integration of women in Austria? Women still carry out the main part of care work. Austria seems to be an interesting example as major changes in the care arrangement towards payments for care have been realised during the last decade. A care allowance for people with long-term care needs was introduced in 1993, and a childcare allowance for children up to the age of three years in 2002. Both instruments are directed to improve the conditions of informal care within families and to guarantee freedom of choice how to organise care work.

In welfare state research, Austria has been classified as a strong breadwinner state. The mentioned care related reforms could be interpreted as an attempt to transform the male breadwinner model into a care arrangement that is still based on family care, but with high support by the welfare state. Social integration of family care should be possible without depending on a male breadwinner. On the conceptual level, such a modified care arrangement could be based on the approach of Fraser (1994), namely the Caregiving Parity Model, and on the application of Fraser's approach on lone mothers by Lewis and Hobson (1997).

The first part of this chapter describes the Austrian care system and gives some figures about female labour market participation. In the second part, we discuss social integration of family care on the conceptual level. Then we verify if the changes that we currently observe in Austria may be interpreted as a transformation of the traditional breadwinner model into a new care model. Finally, we come to the conclusion that Austria is still far away from the realisation of a caregiving parity model.

The Austrian care arrangement

Among the most important characteristics of the Austrian care system are the dominance of informal family care and the scarce provision of services. The family has a dominant role in any area of care work and the welfare state supports the family in fulfilling its obligations.

Social rights based on care work

Regarding childcare, Austria has a two-year parental leave entitlement that is linked to previous labour market participation and provides protection against dismissal and a right to return to the job.