Page - 201 - in Austrian Law Journal, Volume 2/2021

ALJ 2021 From debt to discharge 201 counselling agencies in Austria are very effective.181 The activities of the recognised debt counselling agencies also create added value for creditors: They act as contact partners and links between debtors, the court and creditors. Through the activities of debt counselling agencies, information about the debtor's financial situation can be obtained and the probability of a higher repayment rate increases.182 For these reasons, there is an urgent need to increase the staff of the recognised debt counselling agencies; debtors usually have to wait a substantial amount of time for an appointment. V. Conclusion Recent legislative acts have further improved the framework for a debt discharge for consumers in Austria: In particular, the proceedings for income levy can be concluded within a period of only three years as part of a repayment plan. As compensation for the shortened duration of the proceedings, the debtor must meet a higher standard of honesty. Regarding consumer credit counselling, however, there is still work to be done: Due to the termination of deferments, subsidies and short-time work models, a massive increase in clients is to be expected any time soon,183 therefore a significant improvement in the funding of the recognised debt counselling agencies is urgently needed. 181 More-Hollerweger/Pervan-Al Soquarer/Pervan, Studie zum gesellschaftlichen und ökonomischen Nutzen der staatlich anerkannten Schuldenberatungen in Österreich mittels einer SROI-Analyse (2013) 87. 182 ASB Schuldenberatungen, Schuldenreport 12. 183 ASB Schuldenberatungen, Schuldenreport 4.