Industry Information

The Rail Industry Worker program is a national competency management system for those working in rail. By law, every contractor and staff member working on a rail network in any capacity must be able to provide proof of their ability to do the job. This is done through completing appropriate training and attaining the relevant training outcomes required by their work role.

The Rail Industry Worker (RIW) Card was implemented in 2013 to provide a single national competence management system for workers within the rail industry. The system was initiated to improve the control and processes for delivering and monitoring safety, training, competencies and certification of workers. The aim of competency management is to minimise the risk of untrained personnel carrying out any work on the Australian rail network.

Currently this system is focusing on Rail Safety Worker Contractors as a priority, but there is the capability to expand this to all workers within the rail industry.

Replacing the 'Rail Safety Worker' program in March 2013, this industry led solution meets regulatory requirements and complies with national rail safety law.

This program is currently in phase one, with the capability to expand to all workers within the Rail Industry in the future.

Management of an individual’s records and skills sets, training and competencies, along with the production, distribution and control of associated unique competency cards are channelled through the industry leading safety management software, Onsite Track Easy (Onsite), a division of a company called Pegasus.

Each rail network (V/Line, ARTC, Metro) now specifies particular work roles that contractors can perform, and the units of competency (mostly units with a TLI code) that must be held by a person wishing to act as that work role on their network.

Exemptions may be available but you would need to contact the competencies team/rail safety managers for the networks you intend to access and seek an exemption.

To receive your RIW Card you must register and provide relevant documentation. You can register through the RIW portal link below. https://secure.onsitetrackeasy.com.au/portal/railIndustryWorker/welcome.jsp?psn=railIndustryWorker

For all rail operators it is mandatory to provide the following:

• Completed 100 Point Identity Check at Australia Post
• Unit of competence for the rail safety worker task(s) to be carried out in the rail corridor.

For more information about how to make up the 100pts of ID or which unit of competence is required, please see http://railindustryworker.com.au/documents

The necessary requirements for applying for this qualification with specific Rail Operators (e.g. ARTC, Metro, Aurizon) can be found by following this link: http://railindustryworker.com.au/qualifications. With the introduction of the Rail Industry Worker Card system (www.railindustryworker.com.au, previously called Pegasus) to manage an individual worker’s competencies, older “competency cards” may no longer be sufficient evidence in that system to prove that an individual has the skills and knowledge required for that role. Instead, a Statement of Attainment that lists these accredited units of competency (coded with a TLI code) and a Certificate showing currency must be uploaded to prove a learner’s competence.

For more information please refer to railindustryworker.com.au