ONRSR publishes fact sheets for the rail industry and public on specific rail safety issues.



*View all fact sheets in either list or grid layout (whichever is your preference) by using the tabs below - or, alternatively, use the search function to find the specific fact sheet you're looking for.


A guide to Rail Safety Officer worksite visits (interactive tool)
Mar 29, 2024

This brochure explains why a rail safety officer might visit railway premises and interact with rail safety workers;.

A guide to road rail vehicles and the law (interactive tool)
Dec 2, 2021

This brochure provides high-level information and guidance specifically relating to the use of road rail vehicles (RRVs) in railway operations.

About the Cost Recovery Model Fact Sheet
Apr 28, 2022

In November 2016 the Transport and Infrastructure Council approved changes to ONRSR’s cost recovery model.

Assessment of rail safety worker competence fact sheet
Jul 1, 2021

Rail transport operators must ensure that each rail safety worker, who is to perform rail safety work in relation to its railway operations, has the knowledge and skills necessary to enable the worker to carry out the work safely.

Changes to the Rail Safety National Law 2015 Fact Sheet
Jun 15, 2015

Amendments to RSNL from 2014

Changes to the Rail Safety National Law 2016 Fact Sheet
Jul 22, 2016

From 1 August 2016, changes to the Rail Safety National Law and National Regulations will apply. The changes were approved by Ministers in November 2015. A summary of the changes as they will apply to accredited and registered operators is provided here.

Changes to the Rail Safety National Law 2017 Fact Sheet
Jun 14, 2017

From 1 July 2017, changes to the Rail Safety National Law and National Regulations apply.

Changes to the Rail Safety National Law 2019 Fact Sheet
Jun 20, 2019

From 1 July 2019, changes to the Rail Safety National Law and National Regulations apply

Control Assurance Fact Sheet
Nov 1, 2020

Operators are required to specify the control measures they use to manage the safety risks associated with their railway operations.

Drug and Alcohol - Introduction of Urine Testing Fact Sheet
Jul 1, 2021

From 1 July 2019, amendments to the Rail Safety National Law will enable the Regulator to undertake urine testing of rail safety workers.

Drug and Alcohol - NSW Authorised Person Appointment Process and issue of identity cards Fact Sheet
Dec 7, 2023

This fact sheet outlines the process for RTOs and third party providers to appoint authorised persons and issue their identity cards to conduct D&A testing in NSW under the RSNL.

Drug and Alcohol - ONRSR's Testing Program Fact Sheet
Jul 1, 2022

The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide guidance to rail transport operators and rail safety workers on ONRSR’s testing program.

Drug and Alcohol - Requirements for rail transport operators (NSW Only) Fact Sheet
Dec 14, 2023

The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide guidance to rail transport operators accredited for railway operations in NSW in relation to drug and alcohol testing under th RSNL.

Drug and Alcohol - Requirements for rail transport operators Fact Sheet
Jul 1, 2022

This fact sheet provides guidance for Rail transport operators who carry legal responsibilities for minimising and reporting the risks of drugs and alcohol on their railway operations.

Drug and Alcohol - Scalability of drug and alcohol management program requirements Fact Sheet
Jul 1, 2022

A rail transport operator must prepare and implement a drug and alcohol management program (DAMP) for rail safety workers who carry out rail safety work in relation to railway operations for which the operator is required to be accredited.

Duties of Rail Safety Workers fact sheet
Oct 14, 2022

Rail safety workers have an important role in ensuring the safety of railway operations and carry specific legal duties under the Rail Safety National Law (RSNL).

Fatigue Risk Management in NSW Fact Sheet
Nov 4, 2020

In NSW, additional requirements regarding the management of rail safety worker hours of work and rest apply to railway operations.

General Safety Duties under the RSNL – ‘Upstream’ Duty Holders Fact Sheet
Aug 28, 2020

'Upstream duty holders', who generally do not require accreditation, still have general duties to ensure safety.

Interface agreements fact sheet
Jul 1, 2019

The Rail Safety National Law (RSNL) requires that rail transport operators (i.e. rail infrastructure managers and rolling stock operators) and road managers must enter into interface agreements to manage the risks to safety at interfaces.

Interface Agreements for Road Managers
Sep 19, 2021

The Rail Safety National Law (RSNL) requires that road managers and rail infrastructure managers enter into interface agreements to manage the risks to safety at interfaces.

Interpretation of Queensland Specific Fatigue Requirements: FAQs
Oct 1, 2020

The scheme for the fatigue management of drivers of trains intuitively seeks to guard against people who are involved in the operation of trains becoming overly tired.

Labour hire under the RSNL Fact Sheet
Oct 1, 2021

Workers contracted under labour hire arrangements who undertake rail safety work have duties under the RSNL.

Major Project Fees Fact Sheet
Jun 28, 2022

Major project fees may apply to complex rail projects. There are two types of major project fees.

Power of Regulator to Obtain Information Fact Sheet
Jun 20, 2023

ONRSR has released a new rail industry fact sheet designed to clarify the requirements when persons, particularly rail safety workers, are compelled to answer questions by our Rail Safety Officers.

Recommencement of Rail Operations for Tourist & Heritage Operators after an Extended Shutdown Fact Sheet
Jun 27, 2023

This Fact Sheet is created for Tourist & Heritage operators with information to ensure they comply with all requirements of your safety management system (SMS) after an extended shutdown of operations.

Safety Critical Software Assurance Fact Sheet
Jul 31, 2020

Failure to adequately assure the safety of critical software can lead to serious safety incident

Systems Integration Fact Sheet
Jul 31, 2020

Effective systems integration is essential to ensure that new technologies safely work together and with existing railway systems.

Works near or on railways and interaction with utilities fact sheet
Jul 1, 2021

Any person wishing to conduct works on or near a railway must notify the relevant rail infrastructure manager before works commence, if those works threaten or are likely to threaten the safety of the railway or the operational integrity of the railway.

Last updated: Aug 21, 2021, 11:31:34 AM