Track Safety Awareness

What is Track Safety Awareness Training?

Rail CorridorTrack Safety Awareness is the minimum industry standard for employees and contractors participating in a work activity within the various rail corridors in Australia. Each of the track owners who manage rail traffic movements in Australia have defined the minimum training and health standards for their own employees and for contractors who need to work in the rail corridor.

You need a Track Safety Awareness Card as a minimum requirement to access the rail corridor.

Please note that a Track Safety Awareness card:

  • may not be transportable and or recognised when working within another track owner's rail corridor
  • is not a Certificate of Competence and normally does not require a re-assessment of competence at the card's expiry date.


Which Track Safety Awareness training do I need?

You need to decide which rail corridor(s) that you will be conducting work activities in. Remember, that an issued Track Safety Awareness card may not be recognised in another track owner's rail corridor.

Please contact The Instruction Company regarding jurisdiction requirements for each Track Safety Awareness card.


RailCorp Rail Industry Safety Induction (RISI) (Sydney metro area and surrounds)

The RailCorp Track Safety Awareness course is known as the Rail Industry Safety Induction (RISI) course. This course is delivered to RailCorp employees and contractors who need to conduct work activities within RailCorp's managed rail corridors. RailCorp has introduced a point system that must be submitted before the RISI card can be issued.

A list of documentation that can be used to gain the 100 points can be found here.

The Instruction Company has been authorised by RailCorp to:

  • deliver the training and assess competence
  • collect the required documentation including the passport photos, medical certificate and the applicable documentation confirming the 100 points.

This information is then sent to RailCorp for processing. RailCorp will issue the RISI card and return it to The Instruction Company, we then send it out to you.


ARTC National Track Safety Awareness Course (largely the interstate network)

The Australian Rail Track Corporation National Track Safety Awareness course is delivered to ARTC employees and contractors who need to conduct work activities within the defined ARTC standard gauge rail network.

Successful completion of the ARTC National Track Safety Awareness course allows you to participate in work activities within the defined ARTC standard gauge rail corridors in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.


Victorian Regional Broad Gauge Rail Network Track Safety Awareness

The Victorian Regional Broad Gauge Rail Network Track Safety Awareness course is delivered to employees and contractors who need to conduct work activities within the defined Victorian Regional Broad Gauge Rail Network which is managed by V/Line Passenger (VLP).

The Victorian Regional Broad Gauge Rail Network is defined as those rail corridors that are located outside of the CONNEX managed metropolitan suburban rail network.

Successful completion of the Victorian Regional Broad Gauge Rail Network Track Safety Awareness course allows you to participate in work activities in the Victorian Regional Broad Gauge Rail Network.


CONNEX Rail Network Track Safety Awareness (Melb metro area)

The CONNEX Rail Network Track Safety Awareness course is delivered to employees and contractors who need to conduct work activities within the defined metropolitan electrified suburban rail network which is managed by CONNEX.

Successfully completion of this CONNEX Rail Network Track Safety Awareness course allows you to participate in work activities within the CONNEX managed suburban rail network in Melbourne.


When are courses being held and where?

Simply click on the Course Calendar to find out when the next Track Safety Awareness course is being conducted.

You need to look at the name of the Track Manager title on each Track Safety Awareness course in the calendar. It is important to identify which course you need.

For example:

  • if you need to access the Sydney metropolitan area only - you need a RailCorp RISI card
  • if need to access the ARTC network - you need an ARTC National Track Safety Awareness card.

If you are not sure, then contact our Office Staff to obtain full details on all the courses are available and what course best suits your needs.


What is involved to complete the course?

Irrespective of which Track Safety Awareness training course you select, you will be required to complete:

  • off job training and an off job assessment which is conducted in a classroom (approximately 5 to 6 hours)
  • on job training exercises and an assessment of competence (approximately 1 hour)

Before we can issue you your Track Safety Awareness card you need to:

  • successfully complete the above training and assessments
  • submit a Category Three medical certificate
  • submit two passport type photographs of your face and shoulders


Who can conduct the medical examination?

Nationally agreed medical standards apply for rail safety workers. You need to be medically fit to Category Three standard before a Track Safety Awareness card can be issued.

Some track owners have provided The Instruction Company with an authorised list of medical practitioners who have been authorised to conduct Category Three medical examinations.

A Category Three medical certificate remains current for five years irrespective of age. If you have a current medical certificate from the list of authorised practitioners, you may not need to complete a new one.

Use the link www.ntc.gov.au to obtain the medical guidelines related to Category Three medicals which are defined in Volume 2 of the National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers.  Once at the home page, tab on RAIL SAFETY in the menu and then tab on National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers to view details of requirements.


Drug and Alcohol screening

The track owners have prescribed that a drug and alcohol screening must be completed as part of the Category Three assessment.


What duration is the Track Safety Awareness current for?

The expiration date for your Track Safety Awareness card is normally the date that the medical expires. There are some variations according to individual track managers.

Please contact The Instruction Company for a description of what is required when the expiry date is due on the card that has been issued to you.


What do I need to bring to the course?

Irrespective of which course you select, it is imperative that you bring with you the following information/equipment:

  • an approved Orange safety vest (if possible)
  • 2 passport size photos of your head and shoulders only
  • a copy of your medical certificate
  • documentation including photo identification which gives you 100 points (RailCorp RISI course only)
  • appropriate footwear (no open shoes etc)

During the training you will be required to complete on job training exercises and an assessment of competence. You will at no time during this training course be required to stand in a rail corridor.

If you cannot provide any or all of the documentation, then you may still complete the training, however the card will not be issued until you have supplied the required documentation to our office staff.


What is the cost of the training and how can I pay for it?

The cost of the course is $150.00 (includes 10% GST) per individual. This price includes the training material which includes the issue of the card and a trainee workbook which is yours to keep after course completion.

An additional cost of $77.00 is required if you choose to complete the RailCorp RISI Track Safety Awareness training (Sydney metro area). This is because RailCorp issue the cards on behalf of the training organisations.

A deposit of $50.00 per participant must be received at our office to secure a booking prior to the course date.

The cost of the course for an organisation with up to ten participants is $1100.00 (includes 10% GST) with a deposit fee of $300.00 applicable prior to the course date.

Note: Bookings are not secured and guaranteed until deposits are fully paid and are strictly non refundable. Payment can be made at the Office by either Money Order Cheque or Credit Card (excluding American Express and Diners) at least 2 working days prior to commencement of the course.


How do I register for a training course?

To confirm your course you need to complete the "TSA Enrolment Form" and fax it back to our office on 02 69243570.

If you are unable to print the form, contact our office to confirm your registration.