How to become a Railway Infrastructure Worker

Railway infrastructure workers work on the construction, maintenance and operation of railway infrastructure, including tracks, signalling equipment and buildings.

Personal requirements for a Railway Infrastructure Worker

  • Enjoy practical and manual activities
  • Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
  • Alert and safety-conscious
  • Able to work as part of a team

Education & Training for a Railway Infrastructure Worker

You can work as a railway infrastructure worker without formal qualifications, but employers usually require Year 10. Once you are employed, you will receive formal training, both on and off the job. On completion of this training, you may receive a nationally recognised qualification.


Additional information

Applicants go through a range of recruitment processes, including personality, aptitude and ability tests; an interview; and a medical assessment. Age limits may apply.

Duties & Tasks of a Railway Infrastructure Worker

Railway infrastructure workers:

  • Inspect and monitor railway tracks
  • Check, assess and maintain track-laying equipment
  • Install, maintain and repair tracks, sleepers (wooden or concrete support slats) and ballast (crushed stone surrounding the tracks and sleepers)
  • Operate equipment
  • Perform general site maintenance of the rail corridor.

Tasks

  • Cutting rails to length and grinding worn and rough rail ends
  • Examining track, lubricating wheel bearings on rolling stock and maintaining switch signal lamps
  • Cleaning and lubricating switches
  • Placing sleepers across roadbeds, and positioning and fastening rails on sleepers
  • Installing and repairing signals and other equipment
  • May assist with the righting of derailed rolling stock
  • Drilling bolt holes, and bolting and welding rail sections
  • Removing and replacing worn and damaged rails, sleepers and switches
  • Spreading and tamping ballast to provide firm foundation for sleepers

Working conditions for a Railway Infrastructure Worker

Railway infrastructure workers work on railway lines and at transfer yards, mines and quarries. They work shifts, including weekends and public holidays. Those working in regional or remote locations may be required to stay in local accommodation.


Employment Opportunities for a Railway Infrastructure Worker

Railway infrastructure workers may be employed throughout Australia, by state passenger services, the national railway asset owner, Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) (www.artc.com.au), and by contractors providing infrastructure services to these operators.Demand for railway infrastructure workers depends on the levels of railway construction and maintenance activity. Employment opportunities may increase with previous relevant experience. With experience and further training, promotion to supervisory or other positions is possible.


Specializations

Track Worker
Railway Infrastructure Worker

Railway infrastructure workers work on the construction, maintenance and operation of railway infrastructure, including tracks, signalling equipment and buildings.

  • Average age
    Average age
    44 years
  • Future Growth
    Future Growth
    Strong
  • Gender Share
    Gender Share
    4% female
  • Average full-time
    Average full-time
    49 hours
  • Weekly Pay
    Weekly Pay
    $2,074
  • Skill level rating
    Skill level rating
    Lower skill
  • Unemployment
    Unemployment
    Lower unemployment
  • Full-Time Share
    Full-Time Share
    90% Full-Time
  • Employment Size
    Employment Size
    3,600 workers
  • Employment Size
    Employment by state
    ACT: 0.0%
    NSW: 34.2%
    NT: 0.3%
    QLD: 27.9%
    SA: 4.0%
    TAS: 0.9%
    VIC: 17.3%
    WA: 15.5%
  • Employment Size
    Age brackets
    15-19: 0.8%
    20-24: 5.2%
    25-34: 24.4%
    35-44: 21.5%
    45-54: 24.6%
    55-59: 13.8%
    60-64: 7.5%
    65 and Over: 2.4%
  • Employment Size
    Education level
    Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 5.2%
    Bachelor degree: 2.4%
    Certificate III/IV: 33.6%
    Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 1.1%
    Year 10 and below: 32.5%
    Year 11: 8.3%
    Year 12: 17%
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