12 Aug 2025
A strengthened RISSB set to become the industry-led technical standards setting body
The Chair of the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB), Dr Gillian Miles has welcomed the decision made at yesterday’s Infrastructure and Transport Ministers Meeting (ITMM) for a new RISSB to become the industry-led, technical standards setting body.
Ms Miles said a new, strengthened RISSB will support a more integrated national rail network in the digital age, that includes the mandatory standards for digital train control.
RISSB members have expressed their expectations of a more impactful and influential RISSB to drive interoperability and standards adoption.
The strengthened RISSB will be industry led, bringing public and private operators and suppliers to the table, with unions and governments to harmonise rail standards and to implement the national rail standards.
The decision by ITMM means RISSB will work closely with the National Transport Commission to develop and deliver the three-tier National Rail Standards Framework of mandatory, harmonised and local standards. RISSB will also support the development of mandatory standards, lead harmonised standards and support industry where local standards are required.
RISSB will have a stronger role in leading the implementation of the national rail standards framework to promote greater consistency across the network.
Key stakeholders across industry and Australian governments support the clarity of roles that this decision creates in driving national standards and supporting the roll-out of European Train Control System on the National Network for Interoperability.
The new RISSB will redesign its standards development process and governance, to focus on standards of national importance to drive greater national consistency across rail networks.
A key role for the new RISSB is to support the adoption of national standards for greater cohesion.
RISSB will continue to work with National Transport Commission (NTC), Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR), Australian governments, the Australasian Railway Association (ARA), RISSB members, public and private operators and other key stakeholders. Together, we will build a new RISSB that supports improvements in rail safety and productivity.
“This is a significant turning point for RISSB as we take on a stronger role in leading the implementation of the national rail standards framework that will focus on greater consistency across the entire network.” Dr Gillian Miles, Chair RISSB
“Our members have told us that they want RISSB to play a stronger role leading rail standards that will help them meet the challenges of adopting mandatory and harmonised standards.” Alan Fedda, Chief Executive Officer RISSB.