How do you get into the rail industry?

The rail industry is continually changing and evolving – but one thing that always remains the same, is a focus on safety. Because of this, sometimes the training requirements can be confusing for people who are first entering the industry. To help make it clear how to enter the rail industry, here are the minimum most requested requirements for working within the Australian rail industry.

Please note: These minimum standard requirements are for Victoria, Australia and should be used as a guide only – your employer will be the best person to ask on what training you will specifically require.

To work in ‘around the track’ jobs

These are the standard minimum requirements for job roles such as painting, traffic management, cleaning, surveying, consultants, OH&S and supervisors.

  1. Complete a Safely Access the Rail Corridor course (TLIF0020 Safely Access the Rail Corridor), this can be achieved by completing the Metro Train Track Safety Awareness course.
  2. Complete a Category 3 Rail Medical
  3. Get your Rail Industry Worker Card (RIWC) and upload all necessary job roles, certificates, and medicals to your card.
  4. If you are going to work on Metro Projects, you will need to complete the Safely Working in the Rail Corridor (SWIRC) course with Metro Academy
  5. If you are going to work on the ARTC or V/Line Networks, you will need to complete an additional free online induction with that Network
  6. Depending on your job role, you may require additional training – please see your employer to find out what requirements you will specifically require before starting work

To work in rail infrastructure (labouring)

If you are going to be a rail labourer, and working on rail infrastructure, these are your recommended courses:

  1. Complete a Safely Access the Rail Corridor course (TLIF0020 Safely Access the Rail Corridor), this can be achieved by completing the Metro Train Track Safety Awareness course.
  2. Complete a Category 3 Rail Medical
  3. Get your Rail Industry Worker Card (RIWC) and upload all necessary job roles, certificates, and medicals to your card.
  4. If you are going to work on Metro Projects, you will need to complete the Safely Working in the Rail Corridor (SWIRC) course with Metro Academy
  5. Complete the National Rail Labourers course that includes the 6 Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure core units.

If you are going to be working for the ARTC or V/Line networks, then you will also need to complete an additional free online induction with that Network

To work in rail Safeworking

For all Safeworking job roles with the Victorian rail industry, you will need to complete these first four steps at a minimum.

  1. Complete a Safely Access the Rail Corridor course (TLIF0020 Safely Access the Rail Corridor), this can be achieved by completing the Metro Train Track Safety Awareness course.
  2. Complete a Category 1 Rail Medical
  3. Get your Rail Industry Worker Card (RIWC) and upload all necessary job roles, certificates, and medicals to your card.
  4. Organise with a Safeworking company to assist you to obtain your infield logbook hours

You will then need to complete additional training, based on which rail network you will be working on.

For the Metro Network, the job role-specific training available includes:

For the V/Line Network, the job role-specific training available includes:

For the ARTC Network, the job role-specific training available includes:

For more information on how to enter the rail industry, or for a hand with any of the above, please contact the Training Ahead Australia team on 1300 355 900.