The 2008–09 Austrian Football First League was the 35th season of second-level football in Austria, since its introduction in 1974. 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. Three teams were relegated to the Regional Leagues. SV Grödig and 1. FC Vöcklabruck sealed their fate based upon competitive criteria, while DSV Leoben did not apply for a professional license and thus were automatically demoted.