Organisation of state administration

State administration is effected by the (superordinate) federal state, the federal provinces and the municipalities, as well as (in some cases) by other self-governing institutions such as the chambers.

Administrative districts are units established for administrative purposes only; they do not have elected bodies of their own. In chartered cities, district administration tasks are performed by the municipal institutions.

As a rule, state administration is based on two fundamental principles of organisation: monocratic and the collegial organisation.

Monocratic organisation

An individual person is in charge of carrying out tasks, taking the necessary decisions and therefore assuming full responsibility for the effects. This includes the right to give directions to junior members of staff. The monocratic form of organisation is applied in state administration, but also in other socio-economic bodies (e.g. enterprises, businesses etc.)

Collegial organisation

A group of persons is jointly responsible for carrying out tasks and making decisions. This principle is less common. Collegial organisations are generally found at the level of provincial governments, as well as in some court instances ("senates of judges").