New requirements for the interoperability of railway operations have been agreed by Australia’s Infrastructure and Transport Ministers and take full effect on 28 February 2026.
To support rail transport operators to comply with the changes, ONRSR has developed a guideline in collaboration with the National Transport Commission (NTC) and Rail Industry and Safety Standards Board (RISSB).
Consultation on the guideline closed on 14 November 2025. Find out more below.
The NTC consulted with industry in late 2024 on a regulation that requires operators on the National Network for Interoperability (NNI) to consider interoperability when making changes to their operations. For any changes that will impact interoperability, operators will be required to prepare an Interoperability Management Plan (IMP) as part of their safety management system.
The new regulation commenced on 1 November 2025 and, after a transition period, operators will be required to comply from 28 February 2026.
Interoperability in the Australian rail industry refers to the ability of different rail systems, technologies, rules and operators to work together safely, seamlessly and efficiently across the NNI.
Historically, Australia’s railways developed in isolation across states, resulting in inconsistent standards, signalling systems, communications and operational rules.
Improving interoperability and establishing the NNI reduces safety risk from system complexity and increases freight and passenger productivity. It also supports the adoption of modern digital rail technologies and national harmonisation initiatives led by ONRSR, the NTC and industry stakeholders. In practical terms, interoperability enables a more connected, efficient and future-ready rail system for Australia.
Read our Interoperability Explainer.
The new requirements only apply to accredited rail infrastructure managers that are part of the NNI and accredited rolling stock operators that have accreditation to operate on the NNI. Operators that are determined by the Regulator to be a tourist and heritage operator will be exempt from the new requirements.
The Guideline - Interoperability of Railway Operations is designed to support operators with implementation of the requirements. ONRSR consulted on the draft guideline between 27 October and 14 November 2025. We are now going through the submissions received and if required, the draft guideline will be updated before a final version is published.
Interested parties can view the Draft Guideline - Interoperability of Railway Operations noting it is subject to change following consideration of the feedback received.
Watch our webinar held on 27 October 2025 below or view the presentation to learn more.