Accreditation
What is Accreditation?
Organisations who undertake railway operations in NSW must be accredited by the Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator (ITSRR). It is an offence to carry out railway operations without obtaining accreditation.
For an organisation to be granted accreditation, ITSRR must be satisfied that they have the competency and capacity to implement a safety management system (SMS) which effectively controls the risks associated with carrying out its railway operations.
Once a railway operator has been granted accreditation by ITSRR, they must comply with the requirements of the Rail Safety Act 2002, regulations and guidelines 1 . These include requirements to:
- maintain a safety management system (SMS) that complies with relevant guidelines;
- ensure their operations are conducted in accordance with their SMS; and
- pay annual accreditation fees to ITSRR.
In addition, ITSRR can impose specific conditions of accreditation on particular railway operators.
ITSRR conducts regular audits and inspections of railway operations. Failure to comply with legal requirements and accreditation conditions can result in accreditation being varied, suspended or revoked.
Who is involved?
Any organisation who undertakes ‘railway operations’ in NSW must be accredited by ITSRR. “Railway operations” include:
- the operation or movement of any rolling stock (including passenger, freight or maintenance vehicles);
- the construction and/or maintenance of railway infrastructure (including tracks, platforms, stations and associated signalling, communication and electrical systems); and
- the construction and/or maintenance of rolling stock.
The owners of ‘private sidings’ (privately-owned railway tracks which connect to the railway network) are exempt from the requirement to be accredited. However, private siding owners must maintain a safety interface agreement with the accredited operator of the railway to which their siding connects.
Organisations who undertake ‘railway operations’ may apply to ITSRR for an exemption from some or all accreditation requirements. ITSRR may grant an exemption if it is satisfied that the organisation has operational systems and procedures that are likely to achieve an appropriate level of safety for their railway operations.
How does it happen?
To become accredited an organisation must submit a completed application form (Form 4) and supporting information to ITSRR. The supporting information includes:
- a description of their railway operations, including all elements of their railway infrastructure and rolling stock;
- a description of their SMS; and
- details of their safety interface agreements.
ITSRR will review the application and conduct an audit to determine whether the applicant’s SMS satisfies the relevant guidelines, and whether the applicant has the competency and capacity to implement and comply with their SMS.
ITSRR will formally advise the applicant of its decision and will charge an application fee of up to $50,000 depending on the time and resources required to assess the application.
If the applicant is already accredited as a railway operator in another State or Territory, ITSRR may waive some or all accreditation application requirements. As well, some or all application requirements may be waived if the applicant has acquired railway operations which were accredited under the previous owner.
Organisations interested in applying for an exemption from some or all accreditation requirements should contact ITSRR before applying to determine if they are eligible for an exemption.
When will it happen?
Organisations should apply for accreditation before they commence undertaking railway operations.
The time taken to process an accreditation application depends largely on the scope of railway operations (i.e. size and nature) and the completeness of the application.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss the accreditation application process with ITSRR, before they lodge an application. This helps reduce delays due to incomplete or inadequate applications.
Accreditation is usually granted for an unlimited period of time. However, ITSRR may impose time limits on accreditation where considered appropriate.
Accredited railway operators who propose to implement changes to the scope and nature of their railway operations which are not covered by their accreditation, must apply to ITSRR for a variation to their accreditation.
Where will it take place?
Throughout NSW.
Why is it happening?
ITSRR accredits railway operators to ensure they have the competency, capacity and systems to safely manage their railway operations.
Accreditation requirements are under review as part of the development and implementation of nationally uniform state and territory rail safety legislation.
List of NSW Accredited Operators.
1 Part 3, Division 1, Rail Safety Act 2002