Getting Started In The Rail Industry
Build A Career that Moves Australia Forward
The Australian rail industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with major projects underway in every state and territory. At the same time, the sector is facing an acute skills shortage creating exciting opportunities for people looking to start a new career, return to the workforce, or take on a fresh challenge.
With more than $155 billion in planned rail investment over the next decade, there has never been a better time to join the industry. From iconic projects like Sydney Metro, Brisbane’s Cross River Rail, and the Inland Rail Project, to the vast mining networks of Western Australia’s northwest, rail offers a pathway into meaningful work that shapes cities, communities, and the nation’s future.
Whether you’re helping design and construct critical infrastructure, or ensuring the safe and reliable operation of rail networks, your contribution will make a real and lasting difference. Rail careers also offer significant long-term development, with opportunities to move between roles and specialisations as your skills grow.
At The Instruction Company (TICRail), we’ve been helping people build successful rail careers since 2000. With training teams and facilities across Australia, we’re here to support you from your very first step through to advanced qualifications and specialised industry roles.
Your First Steps Into Rail
Before starting work in the rail industry, there are a few essential credentials you’ll need. TICRail can guide you through every stage of the process to make sure you’re job-ready.
Safely Access The Rail Corridor
This one-day, classroom-based induction course is the entry point for anyone working in the rail industry. SARC provides foundational safety knowledge and is required across all networks before you can begin work. TICRail delivers SARC courses regularly across Australia.
Rail Industry Worker (RIW) Card
The RIW Card is your official industry identification. It records all your rail qualifications and ensures your competencies remain current. You can learn more about the RIW program on their website.
Explore Entry-Level Rail Roles
Once you’ve completed your induction, a variety of entry-level roles are available across rail infrastructure projects, including:
- Labourer
- Track Maintainer
- Shunter
- Terminal Operator
- Road-Rail Vehicle Operator
These roles provide an excellent foundation for long-term career growth, with opportunities to upskill into supervision, safety, signalling, and network operations.
Pathways Into Rail Safety Roles
In addition to infrastructure work, there is strong demand for qualified personnel in rail safety and safeworking roles across all networks. TICRail delivers a range of nationally recognised safeworking training, including:
- ARTC Safeworking Training - NSW, SA, VIC
- UGLRL Safeworking Training – NSW
- Queensland Rail Safeworking Training – QLD
These specialised programs open doors to critical safety roles that keep Australia’s rail networks operating safely and efficiently.
Why Start Your Journey With TIC?
With over two decades of experience, TICRail is one of Australia’s most trusted rail training providers. Our highly skilled trainers bring real-world expertise to every program and will guide you through each step from induction to advanced qualifications.
We’re proud to play a part in building the future of Australia’s rail industry. Together, we’re training the workforce that will deliver the next generation of transport infrastructure and we’re ready to help you become part of it.
Contact TICRail to learn more about upcoming courses and how we can help you enter this dynamic and growing industry.