Expanding rail networks and new technologies are adding to rail’s longstanding workforce challenges. Through the National Rail Action Plan, we are working with governments, industry and the education sector to identify the new skillsets that rail needs. Together, we are building nationally recognised pathways to these skills and supporting ways to attract and develop a new diverse cohort of rail workers to meet future skills demand.

Technology is changing the way rail operates as networks introduce new digital signalling and communications systems. Through the National Rail Action Plan, the NTC is working with industry and governments to make sure the different systems align. This will allow trains to run safely and more efficiently. So, rail can play a bigger role in the nation’s economy.

Right now, in Australia it can take less time to build a train than it does to get it approved to run across the country. This is a major deterrent to investment and creates a barrier to moving more freight onto rail. The National Rail Action Plan is working with industry and regulators to streamline and simplify the rolling stock approval process.

The NTC is reducing differences across our railway and taking a national approach to lock in standards that will make rail simpler, safer and better. These will help to drive interoperability and improve safety and efficiencies across Australia’s networks.

Australia’s rail networks have 12 separate rule books and many different standards, operating rules and processes. This is a burden for workers who operate across networks. It increases training time and costs and affects safety. The NTC is working with industry to reduce the burden on rail workers and organisations by harmonising rules and training. It is all part of the National Rail Action Plan to make rail simpler, safer and better able to attract a skilled and mobile workforce.

Ministers have asked us to review the Australian Road Rules (ARRs) relating to child restraints for passengers under 16 years old.

The NTC is conducting the first comprehensive review of the Australian Dangerous Go

The NTC provides secretariat support to a joint industry-government Vehicle Generated Data Working Group.

We're working to enable the safe operation of AVs on our roads.

The Rail Safety National Law (RSNL) aims for a seamless and coordinated national approach to rail safety regulation in Australia.

The NTC has completed its review of the 2017 edition of the National Standard for H

The NTC and Austroads released updated Guidelines for trials of automated vehicles in December 2020 to support nationally consistent conditions for AV trials in Australia.

The National Women in Transport initiative brings together government and industry