The National Network for Interoperability (NNI) defines the major freight and passenger railways connecting Australia’s ports, regions and passenger terminals. It is established by the Regulator, following the unanimous approval of the responsible Ministers under the Rail Safety National Law.
From 28 February 2026, accredited rail infrastructure managers that are part of the NNI and accredited rolling stock operators that have accreditation to operate on the NNI will be required to comply with new requirements to consider interoperability when making changes to their operations on the NNI.
Map of the NNI
The following map is for illustrative purposes only. You can read the description of the National Network for Interoperability below.
Description of the NNI
- Metropolitan NNI operations
The NNI operates in the following metropolitan areas:
- The Australian Rail Track Corporation running lines from the Albion junction to Moonee Ponds Creek
- The V/Line main standard/dual gauge lines from Moonee Ponds Creek through to Southern Cross Station (Platforms 1,2)
- The Australian Rail Track Corporation connections providing access to the Port of Melbourne.
- The Southern Sydney Freight Line, Metropolitan Freight Network and connection to Port Botany
- The running lines from Lithgow to Lidcombe and connecting to the Metropolitan Freight Network at Flemington Goods Junction
- Main Lines from Lidcombe to Strathfield and Sydney Terminal
- The running lines between the Metropolitan Freight Network at Marrickville Junction and Port Kembla
- The running lines from Newcastle to the Metropolitan Freight Network at Flemington Goods Junction, plus the Main North connection from North Strathfield to Strathfield
- The running lines from Granville to Glenlee
- The running lines from Lidcombe to Cabramatta
- The running lines from Sydney Terminal to Sydenham, East Hills and Glenfield.
- The Australian Rail Track Corporation running lines through Adelaide, including connection to Keswick terminal
- The Australian Rail Track Corporation running lines through to Port of Adelaide.
- Dual gauge running lines from Acacia Ridge to Roma St terminal
- Dual gauge running lines from Dutton Park to Port of Brisbane.
- Dual gauge running lines from Midland to East Perth terminal
- Dual gauge running lines from Midland to Port of Fremantle.
- Running lines to Darwin Station and to the Port of Darwin.
2. Interstate and intrastate NNI operations
The National Network for Interoperability operates on the following intrastate and interstate routes:
All Standard (or dual) gauge running lines from:
- Crystal Brook (SA) to Perth (WA)
- Tarcoola (SA) to Darwin (NT)
- Whyalla (SA) to Port Augusta (SA)
- Crystal Brook (SA) to Sydney (NSW) via Broken Hill (NSW), Parkes (NSW) and Lithgow (NSW)
- Crystal Brook (SA) to Adelaide (SA)
- Adelaide (SA) to Melbourne (VIC) via Geelong (VIC)
- Melbourne (VIC) to Sydney (NSW) via Albury (NSW), Cootamundra (NSW) and Macarthur (NSW)
- Moss Vale (NSW) to Sydney (NSW) via Wollongong (NSW) and Port Kembla (NSW)
- Sydney (NSW) to Brisbane (QLD) via Newcastle (NSW) and Maitland (NSW)
- Illabo (NSW) to Kagaru (QLD) via Inland Rail including:
- Illabo (NSW) to Stockinbingal (NSW)
- Stockinbingal (NSW) to Narromine (NSW), including Parkes North West Link (NSW)
- Narromine (NSW) to Narrabri (NSW)
- Narrabri (NSW) to North Star (NSW)
- North Star (NSW) to Kagaru (QLD) – sections of standard or dual gauge running lines completed or upgraded for Inland Rail that will support the operation of trains using Inland Rail.
- Stockinbingal (NSW) to Cootamundra (NSW)
- Narromine (NSW) to Newcastle (NSW), via Dubbo (NSW) and Gulgong (NSW)
- Muswellbrook (NSW) to Narrabri (NSW)
- Merrygoen (NSW) to Gap (NSW).
For more information, read the full NNI gazette.