National Rail Action Plan

Australia’s infrastructure and transport ministers have agreed to bring Australia’s major interstate freight and passenger corridors under one digital signalling technology — the European Train Control System (ETCS).

From now on, all new digital signalling investments on the National Network for Interoperability (NNI) must meet mandatory ETCS standards. This will improve efficiencies as trains move seamlessly across networks, boosting productivity and delivering safer, more reliable freight and passenger connections between cities, regions, and ports.

Find out more here.

To stay updated, subscribe to our monthly newsletters here.
 

National Cabinet recognises the importance of creating a more connected rail system and has identified rail interoperability as one of eight national priorities to drive a more productive economy. 

Through NRAP we are:

1. Supporting a new national approach for rail in Australia
2. Aligning digital technology that is interoperable across networks
3. Getting consistent ways of working and more productive harmonised operations
4. Growing a future ready rail workforce with nationally recognised skills

The program includes the first mandatory interoperability rail standards and other standards that have been prioritised to support rail harmonisation, as well as governance arrangements to oversee their development and adoption. Changes to support interoperability will also be introduced to Australia’s Rail Safety National Law. 

This is significant reform that will ensure interoperability into the future. 
 

NRAP is taking a one-system approach to rail in Australia. 

Right now, Australia’s rail system is made up of 18 rail networks with many different systems, rules and standards. For decades, networks have been making their own decisions around technologies, work practices and training without considering the impact on neighbouring networks. 

This drives up the cost of running trains, upgrading networks and training and attracting skilled workers. It prevents rail from getting the full safety and productivity benefits of new investments.

By reducing differences and getting greater alignment and consistency across rail we can get:

• more trains running without building new tracks
• more reliable passenger services
• a more competitive rail freight sector to support local industries and major exports. 
   

To identify the rail corridors where interoperability is a priority we have developed the National Network for Interoperability (NNI). This includes the interstate freight and passenger lines that link Australia’s major ports, regions and passenger terminals. As well as the interfaces between them where getting interoperability is critical to improving safety and supporting the country’s economy. An interactive NNI map is live and updated regularly.  

There are eight individual networks that make up the NNI. By taking a national approach to rail, we are starting to treat the NNI as one network.

As a first step, rail transport operators  on the NNI will need to develop an Interoperability Management Plan that shows they have considered national interoperability before making changes to their network. 

Further changes are being scoped which will build even stronger interoperability requirements into the Rail Safety National Law.
 

Australia’s rail networks are moving from manual signalling to digital train control systems. These digital technologies provide safer, more reliable rail services that use less fuel and reduce the cost of maintaining older lineside signalling.

A recent decision by Australia’s Infrastructure and Transport Ministers means that all future investment in digital train control systems on the NNI must comply with European Train Control (ETCS) national standards. This will allow the different systems to connect, providing economic, safety and environmental benefits for all Australians.

ETCS is a proven and widely adopted technology globally. Aligning with ETCS standards allows Australia to tap into international experience and benefit from an established global supply chain.  

Interoperable digital train control systems allow data to be shared across networks and optimise other areas of operations like maintenance and scheduling. 

Having digital systems that can work together will also provide a platform for collaboration and innovation. This includes the development of technologies to help decarbonise rail as we move towards net zero emissions.
 

There is significant support across the rail industry and governments for reforms that improve rail interoperability and harmonisation. 

Rail infrastructure managers (RIMs), operators, suppliers, the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and all Australian state and territory governments support have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC).  

By signing the MoC, they agree to make the rail system safer and more productive by considering national rail interoperability ahead of future network investments and decisions.
 

If you'd like to find out more about rail reform and the National Rail Action Plan send us an email or subscribe to our monthly newsletter here.

To make a formal submission in response to our discussion papers you can find out more here.