About ITSR

The Independent Transport Safety Regulator (ITSR) is an independent statutory body within the NSW Government’s transport portfolio established on 1 January 2004. Its Chief Executive reports directly to the Minister for Transport.

The principal objective of ITSR is to facilitate the safe operation of railway operations in NSW and involves working with the rail industry to encourage the adoption of better practices in risk and safety management.

ITSR’s functions include providing independent advice or recommendations to the Minister for Transport on any matter related to the safe operation of NSW rail operations and entering into an agreement with the national rail safety regulator to provide for regulation of railway operations in NSW under Rail Safety National Law.

From 20 January 2013, ITSR will deliver rail safety regulatory services in NSW as a branch of the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, operating under a service agreement.

For more information on ITSR’s current directions, view the Corporate Plan 2012-13.

ITSR’s annual reports provide an overview of past work and achievements.

Previous functions

In late 2012, the State Government passed legislative amendments adopting the Rail Safety National Law which enables the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator to regulate in NSW. In adopting the National Law the Government also specified that, in the interest of assuring the current level of safety regulation and oversight of railway operations is maintained, regulation on behalf of the ONRSR in NSW would be delivered by ITSR through a service agreement.

In addition, the NSW Transport Master Plan provides for a large number of significant rail transport programs which will require specific regulatory oversight. This was also accounted for in the changes to NSW legislation which focused ITSR’s efforts solely on rail safety regulation and transferred some of its broader transport safety functions to other agencies.

Safety regulation for buses

In January 2011, ITSR was delegated powers to assist the Director General of Transport for NSW with the exercise of bus safety functions. This delegation has been withdrawn. Roads and Maritime Services is responsible for delivering regulatory services for buses, coaches and ferries under the national laws overseeing heavy vehicles and commercial vessels.

Transport safety oversight

Responsibility for the strategic coordination of safety regulation across rail, bus and ferries has transferred from ITSR to Transport for NSW.  As part of ITSR’s role, it produced reports on the implementation of independent investigation recommendations.