Rail Award [MA000015]

This page is a summary of who the Rail Award covers and doesn’t cover. Find a copy of the award at Rail Award.

Learn how to calculate pay rates and check entitlements from Find pay rates and entitlements.

On this page:

Who the Rail Award covers

The Rail Award covers employers who are Rail Transport Operators (Rail Infrastructure Managers and/or Rolling Stock Managers) and their employees who fit within the classifications of the award.

Rail Infrastructure Managers are people who manage and control rail infrastructure, whether or not they:

  • own the rail infrastructure, or
  • have a statutory or contractual right to use, control or provide access to the rail infrastructure.

Rolling Stock Managers are people who manage and control the operation or movement of rolling stock on rail infrastructure for a particular railway.

Rail infrastructures are facilities that are necessary to let a railway operate safely and include, but it not limited to:

  • railway tracks and associated track structures
  • services roads, signalling systems, communications systems, rolling stock control systems and data management systems
  • notices and signs
  • electrical power supply and electric traction systems
  • associated buildings, workshops, depots and yards
  • plant, machinery and equipment.

Rail infrastructure does not include rolling stock.

Examples of employees covered by the Rail Award include:

  • clerical and administrative employees
  • operations employees
  • technical and civil infrastructure employees.

The Rail Award also covers labour hire businesses and their employees who are placed with an organisation who is operated by a Rail Transport Operator.

Check the award for full information on who is covered and the classification descriptions.

Source reference: Rail Award [MA000015] clauses 2, 4 and schedule A

Who the Rail Award doesn't cover

The Rail Award does not cover employers and employees who:

  • work in light rail, monorail or tram services who mainly perform work (which may include transporting freight and/or passengers on private sidings) that does not form part of a main freight or passenger line that:
    • is engaged in the construction, maintenance or operation of a railway on a sugar mill rail network or private siding which do not form part of a main freight or passenger line
    • operate on a mining lease or tenement which does not form part of a main freight or passenger line
  • work solely in the transportation, handling and loading of metals, minerals, ores and substances using the plant or infrastructure (including rail and/or ports) of a mine operator or related company
  • design, construct, fabricate or maintain rail infrastructure or rolling stock, unless they do so as a Rail Transport Operator
  • perform work in relation to amusement parks or related operations
  • perform work on road transport or freight terminals, where the transport or terminal isn't operated by a Rail Transport Operator
  • mainly work on tourist and/or heritage rail services.

Private sidings are sidings that are managed, owned or controlled by a person, other than a person who manages the rail infrastructure where the sidings connect or has access to. This doesn't include:

  • marshalling yards
  • crossing loops
  • passenger terminals
  • freight terminals.

Check the award for full information on who isn't covered and the classification descriptions.

Source reference: Rail Award [MA000015] clauses 2, 4 and schedule A

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