28 Nov 2025
A new era for industry led rail standards
The Chair of the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB) Dr Gillian Miles is pleased to announce a new era in industry led rail standards in Australia.
Australia’s Transport Ministers endorsed a new RISSB to become the industry-led technical standards setting body in August 2025.
In a milestone decision at its AGM on 27 November 2025, RISSB members shared their vision for a stronger and more impactful industry led standards organisation for Australia and the need to change to drive a marked increase in the adoption and harmonisation of standards that advances safety and productivity.
At the RISSB AGM on 27 November 2025, members backed a stronger industry led standards body signified by a change of name from the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB) to the Australian Rail Industry Standards Organisation (ARISO).
A new name means new beginnings. it’s an acknowledgment that standards reform is now in action, and we need to evolve to support industry to drive a marked increase in the adoption and harmonisation of standards.
This is more than a name change; it signifies a new era in our service to members and the industry. ARISO’s new role will be to support the development of mandatory standards, lead harmonised standards and support industry where local standards are required. We will build stronger technical capability and focus our resources on delivering standards of national importance, being more impactful and influential for our members and industry.
From 27 November 2025, we will start the transition to ARISO and building an industry led organisation that advances safety and productivity.
A new Board governance was also approved for a transitional period of two years.
This is necessary as the changes to its remit and the environment in which ARISO operates means the Board will lead an organisation with new, elevated roles and responsibilities. The Board will focus on steering these critical and complex requirements marking the changes that must be made to position ARISO as the industry-led technical standards setting body.
The Board for the transition period will be seven members comprising the elected independent Chair and independent Directors, two industry Directors and two government-appointed Directors.
The Infrastructure and Transport Senior Officials Committee (ITSOC) has informed us that Jeroen Weimar, Secretary of the Department of Transport and Planning Victoria (DTP VIC) and Sally Stannard, the Director General of the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR QLD) will join the ARISO Board in 2026.
“Our members have a clear vision for the future of industry led rail standards and today marks the start of a new era as we build the new Australian Rail Industry Standards Organisation.
This is more than a name change; it signifies a new era in our service to members and the industry. It’s an acknowledgment that standards reform is now in action, and we need to evolve to drive a marked increase in the adoption and harmonisation of standards,” says Gillian Miles.