Rail Rules & Laws
ITSRR is responsible for administering rail safety regulation in NSW.
At a Glance
See a map of the Rail Safety Act 2008 showing key topics (e.g. accreditation, compliance and enforcement) with links to supporting regulations, policies and guidelines. Scroll over topics on the map to see the relevant links.
Rail Acts
- Rail Safety Act 2008 (replaced the Rail Safety Act 2002 on 1 January 2009)
- Transport Administration Act 1988
- Passenger Transport Act 1990
- Transport Legislation Amendment (Waterfall Rail Inquiry Recommendations) Act 2005
View the presentation from industry briefings on the key requirements of the Rail Safety Act 2008.
For detailed information on the Rail Safety Act 2008 and differences between the 2002 and 2008 Acts read the Rail Fact Sheets or refer to the comparison tables below:
- Table 1 – Rail Safety Act 2002 (NSW) Comparison with Rail Safety Act 2008
- Table 2 – Rail Safety Act 2008 (NSW) Comparison with Rail Safety Act 2002
Rail Regulations
On 1 January 2009, new regulations replaced the 2003 regulations (General) and (Drug & Alcohol Testing).
- Rail Safety (General) Regulation 2008
- Rail Safety (Drug & Alcohol Testing) Regulation 2008
- Rail Safety (Offences) Regulation 2008
Rail Guidance
National Guidelines to support the National Model Rail Safety Legislation can be accessed below. They cover accreditation, safety management systems, general safety duties (the meaning of 'so far as is reasonably practicable'), compliance and enforcement, and fatigue management.
NSW appendices have been developed for these guidelines as an interim measure. Once the National Model Rail Safety Legislation has commenced in all jurisdictions, the information contained in the appendices is due to be incorporated into the guidelines.
Accreditation
- National Rail Safety Guideline for Accreditation
- National Accreditation Form - Application for Accreditation or Variation of Accreditation
- National Business Rules for Uniform Administration of Accreditation
- NSW APPENDIX to the National Business Rules for Uniform Administration of Accreditation
- NAP Audit Checklist
- National Audit Tool (effective from 2010)
Compliance & Enforcement
- National Compliance & Enforcement Policy for Rail Safety Guideline
- NSW APPENDIX to the National Compliance & Enforcement Policy for Rail Safety Guideline
Drug & Alcohol
Fatigue Management
- National Guidelines for Fatigue Management for Rail Safety Workers
- NSW APPENDIX to the National Guidelines for Fatigue Management for Rail Safety Workers
General Safety Duties
Health & Fitness
For copies of the Health Assessment Standard and Guidelines please click on the following links:
- Volume 1: Management Systems (incorporating the Guideline for Health Risk Management)
- Volume 2: Health Assessment Procedures and Medical Criteria
Interface Agreements for Rail or Road Crossings
Rail Safety Occurrence Notification
Safety Management Systems
- National Rail Safety Guideline for a Safety Management System
- NSW APPENDIX to the National Rail Safety Guideline for a Safety Management System
Safety Performance Reports
Policies
The following ITSRR policies support the Rail Safety Act 2008:
- Accreditation
- Application, Annual Accreditation and Late Payment Fees
- Waiver of Accreditation Application Requirements
- Exemptions
- Regulatory Response to Management of Change
- Prosecution
- Managing Compliance Through Advice, Education and Training
- Managing Compliance Through Audit
- Managing Compliance Through Inspections
- Managing Compliance Through Investigations
- Penalty Notices
- Suspending or Revoking Accreditation
- Enforceable Voluntary Undertakings
- Disclosure and Use of Information
Forms
Go to forms page.
Guidance during Transitional Arrangements
- Rail Safety (Safety Management Systems) Guideline 2006-No 1
Note: Although the document accessible by this link is entitled National Rail Safety Accreditation Package, it was gazetted in NSW as the Rail Safety (Safety Management Systems) Guideline 2006-No 1. - Certification of Competency
Fact Sheets
Go to fact sheets relating to the Rail Safety Act 2008.