SC Wiener Neustadt, which bought the league license of SC Schwanenstadt along with most of their players at the end of the 2007–08 season due to the latter's insolvency, won the First League championship and were promoted to the 2009–10 Bundesliga.
FC Vöcklabruck sealed their fate based upon competitive criteria, while DSV Leoben did not apply for a professional license and thus were automatically demoted.
Between 29 November 2008 and 6 March 2009, no matches were played due to winter break.
FC Wacker Innsbruck had been relegated from the 2007–08 Austrian Football Bundesliga.
The teams promoted from the Regional Leagues had been SV Grödig (West), 1.