Rail

Browse careers that are in demand now and meet Australia’s future workforce needs.

Track Worker

A Track Worker maintains railway lines by installing and repairing tracks, conducting inspections, and ensuring safety procedures are followed.

Avg yearly income $93,600
Skill level Beginner

Train Driver

A Train Driver operates passenger or freight trains, follows strict schedules, communicates with control, and ensures safety, requiring situational awareness and teamwork.

Avg yearly income $125,320
Skill level Beginner

Train Controller

A Train Controller coordinates train movements using communication and signalling systems, authorising departures and managing emergencies while multitasking effectively.

Avg yearly income $136,500
Skill level Beginner

Railway Shunter

Railway Shunters prepare trains for service by managing carriages and conducting safety checks while ensuring timely train movements.

Avg yearly income $56,940
Skill level Beginner

Rail Worker

A Rail Worker maintains and repairs rail systems, installing tracks and equipment while conducting inspections and scheduled maintenance.

Avg yearly income $78,000
Skill level Beginner

Rail Protection Officer

A Rail Protection Officer ensures the safety of rail workers by implementing procedures, conducting risk assessments, and maintaining clear communication during operations.

Avg yearly income $95,680
Skill level Beginner

Track Machine Operator

A Track Machine Operator drives equipment to maintain and repair railway tracks, conducting inspections, performing repairs, and laying new tracks as needed while ensuring safety and teamwork.

Avg yearly income $109,200
Skill level Beginner

Rail Safety Manager

A Rail Safety Manager develops and oversees safety plans, conducts audits, ensures regulatory compliance, and responds to safety incidents while leading teams effectively.

Avg yearly income $108,004
Skill level Advanced

Signaller

A Signaller coordinates rail traffic movement using signals, requiring strong communication skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.

Avg yearly income $54,600
Skill level Beginner
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

Courses in rail

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
TLI42622

Certificate IV in Train Driving
On Campus, Traineeship
12 - 24 months
$1,962 - $8,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Train Driver Vehicle Operator Operations Officer
Train Controller Technical Officer
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Train Driver Vehicle Operator Operations Officer Train Controller Technical Officer + 2 more
TLI42422

Certificate IV in Rail Safety Management
On Campus, Online
7 days
$4,950
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Rail Safety Manager Rail Protection Officer
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Rail Safety Manager Rail Protection Officer
TLI37122

Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure
On Campus, Traineeship
6 - 12 months
$0 - $4,000
  • Completed Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure or equivalent qualifications OR
  • Evidence of relevant skills, knowledge and employment experience
Additional requirements may apply.
Track Worker Track Machine Operator Rail Infrastructure Worker
  • Completed Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure or equivalent qualifications OR
  • Evidence of relevant skills, knowledge and employment experience
Additional requirements may apply.
Track Worker Track Machine Operator Rail Infrastructure Worker
TLI32121

Certificate III in Rail Structures
On Campus
6 months
$4,000
  • Completed Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure or equivalent qualifications OR
  • Evidence of relevant skills, knowledge and employment experience
Additional requirements may apply.
Senior Track Worker Track Worker Civil Construction Worker
Rail Infrastructure Worker
+ 1 more
  • Completed Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure or equivalent qualifications OR
  • Evidence of relevant skills, knowledge and employment experience
Additional requirements may apply.
Senior Track Worker Track Worker Civil Construction Worker Rail Infrastructure Worker + 1 more
TLI23221

Certificate II in Shunting
On Campus
6 months
$4,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Railway Shunter Freight Handler Compliance Officer
Safety Officer Rail Yard Operator
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Railway Shunter Freight Handler Compliance Officer Safety Officer Rail Yard Operator + 2 more
TLI21921

Certificate II in Track Protection
On Campus
6 - 9 months
$0 - $4,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Track Worker Rail Infrastructure Worker
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Track Worker Rail Infrastructure Worker
TLI27121

Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure
On Campus, Online
1 - 12 months
$0 - $2,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Track Worker Rail Worker Rail Protection Officer
Construction Labourer Rail Infrastructure Worker
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Track Worker Rail Worker Rail Protection Officer Construction Labourer Rail Infrastructure Worker + 2 more
TLIF0020

Safely access the rail corridor
Blended, On Campus, Online
1 - 4 days
$0 - $330
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Rail Worker Track Worker Track Maintainer
Track Machine Operator Civil Construction Worker Plant Operator
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Rail Worker Track Worker Track Maintainer Track Machine Operator Civil Construction Worker Plant Operator + 3 more
TLI33221

Certificate III in Terminal Train Driving
On Campus
6 months
$4,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Railway Shunter Rail Yard Operator
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Railway Shunter Rail Yard Operator
TLI32721

Certificate III in Track Protection
On Campus
6 weeks
$0 - $4,000
  • Completed Certificate II in Track Protection or equivalent qualifications OR
  • Evidence of relevant skills, knowledge and employment experience
Additional requirements may apply.
Rail Protection Officer Track Worker Vehicle Operator
Safety Officer Operations Coordinator
+ 2 more
  • Completed Certificate II in Track Protection or equivalent qualifications OR
  • Evidence of relevant skills, knowledge and employment experience
Additional requirements may apply.
Rail Protection Officer Track Worker Vehicle Operator Safety Officer Operations Coordinator + 2 more
TLI40921

Certificate IV in Rail Network Control
On Campus
18 - 24 months
$8,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Train Controller Signaller
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Train Controller Signaller
TLI27221

Certificate II in Rail Track Vehicle Driving
On Campus
6 - 12 months
$0 - $4,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Track Machine Operator Rail Infrastructure Worker Plant Operator
Vehicle Operator Machine Operator
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Track Machine Operator Rail Infrastructure Worker Plant Operator Vehicle Operator Machine Operator + 2 more
TLI47121

Certificate IV in Rail Infrastructure
On Campus
24 months
$8,000
  • Completed Certificate III in Track Protection or equivalent qualifications OR
  • Completed Certificate III in Rail Structures or equivalent qualifications OR
  • Completed Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure or equivalent qualifications OR
  • Evidence of relevant skills, knowledge and employment experience
Additional requirements may apply.
Rail Worker Senior Track Worker Rail Protection Officer
Track Worker
+ 1 more
  • Completed Certificate III in Track Protection or equivalent qualifications OR
  • Completed Certificate III in Rail Structures or equivalent qualifications OR
  • Completed Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure or equivalent qualifications OR
  • Evidence of relevant skills, knowledge and employment experience
Additional requirements may apply.
Rail Worker Senior Track Worker Rail Protection Officer Track Worker + 1 more
RIISS00054

Traffic Controller Skill Set
Blended, On Campus
1 - 4 days
$0 - $699
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Traffic Controller Traffic Management Officer Road Maintenance Worker
Signal Technician Track Worker Road Construction Worker
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Traffic Controller Traffic Management Officer Road Maintenance Worker Signal Technician Track Worker Road Construction Worker + 3 more
UET30721

Certificate III in ESI - Rail Traction
On Campus, Traineeship
4 years
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Rail Traction Linesman Rail Infrastructure Worker Rail Worker
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Rail Traction Linesman Rail Infrastructure Worker Rail Worker
TLI32821

Certificate III in Rail Operations
On Campus
6 months
$4,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Signaller Train Controller Railway Shunter
Rail Yard Operator
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Signaller Train Controller Railway Shunter Rail Yard Operator + 1 more
TLIF2082

Perform Handsignaller Duties
On Campus
1 day
$575
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Track Worker Rail Protection Officer Rail Worker
Track Maintainer
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Track Worker Rail Protection Officer Rail Worker Track Maintainer + 1 more
TLIF0027

Perform Lookout Duties
On Campus
1 day
$575
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Rail Protection Officer Track Worker Track Maintainer
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Rail Protection Officer Track Worker Track Maintainer
TLIF2010

Apply Fatigue Management Strategies
Blended, On Campus, Online
1 - 4 days
$0 - $250
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Truck Driver Bus Driver Train Driver
Emergency Services Officer (ESO)
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Truck Driver Bus Driver Train Driver Emergency Services Officer (ESO) + 1 more
UETDREL005

Work Safely in the Vicinity of Live Electrical Apparatus
Blended, Online
1 day
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Lineworker Vegetation Control Worker Arborist
Trade Assistant Civil Construction Worker Plant Operator Machine Operator Telecommunications Technician Track Worker
+ 6 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Lineworker Vegetation Control Worker Arborist Trade Assistant Civil Construction Worker Plant Operator Machine Operator Telecommunications Technician Track Worker + 6 more
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

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Further reading

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10th November 2023

Are you studying with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)?

2nd July 2019

Most popular TAFE courses

1st April 2022

All courses

More about rail courses

These nationally recognised training courses are specifically for rail track workers, technicians, customer service officers, signal workers and train drivers.

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