29 Aug 2025
RISSB Connect Edition 87, August 2025
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Edition 87, August 2025 
A message from Alan Fedda | CEO I don’t know for how many more months I can continue to say how busy this month has been as the new CEO of RISSB, as it’s been four already! But what I will say is that August has been a very important month in cementing the importance of standards across our rail sector and paving the way for a stronger Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board that is more impactful and influential and able to support industry to drive interoperability and greater standards adoption. The decision at the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers Meeting (ITMM) earlier this month that a new RISSB will become the industry led technical standards setting body in the new National Rail Standards Framework creates clarity on our pathway forward and is aligned to all the feedback and messages I’ve been hearing from our members over the last few months. Whilst our FY 2026 Work Plan has been published, my leadership team and I are now working to set the plan to build a new RISSB. And with the support of the National Transport Commission (NTC), ONRSR, the ARA, our members and industry, together we will build a strong standards body to guide industry into the future towards greater harmonisation. We have a big task ahead of us, and we are energised to be working closely with the NTC to develop and deliver the three tier National Rail Standards Framework of mandatory, harmonised and local standards. The new RISSB will support the development of mandatory standards, lead harmonisation standards and support industry with local standards as required. To set ourselves up for our new expanded role, we’ve commenced a redesign of our standards development process, to be supported by broader technical capability and resources and the governance structure that incentivises greater adoption and harmonisation of standards across our sector. We will share details of our plans as we work through them and gain your input to ensure that the new RISSB is able to meet these new roles and the expectations that come with them. I know this is a big task, and whilst we commence working on designing the new RISSB, we will continue to focus on delivering our Work Plan for FY 2026 that was designed in consultation with our members. We are committed to keeping you informed of the changes coming up and how we transition over time. We remain committed to industry representation in the development of standards, and bringing our members, public and private operators, government bodies, unions and key stakeholders to the table. 
A new chapter for rail standards leadership
In a historic development for Australia’s rail sector, the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers have agreed to significantly strengthen the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB), positioning it as the industry-led, technical standards setting body for the nation’s rail network. Under the new governance model, RISSB will support the development of mandatory national standards and lead the creation of harmonised standards. Interoperability and harmonisation main focus of RISSB work planFor FY2026, we will deliver for industry 32 projects that will support productivity, safety and sustainability across four key categories – National Priorities, Safety Priorities, Sustainability and Product Maintenance. On 11 August 2025, the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers Meeting (ITMM) approved a governance model for rail that will see a new RISSB play a stronger and more definitive role within the National Rail Standards Framework by supporting the development of mandatory standards, lead harmonised standards and support industry where local standards are required. This plan is subject to change as we build and transition to a new RISSB and in response to emerging national priorities. The Work Plan 2026 is available to be viewed and downloaded on our website. 
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTAS 7637 Hydrology and HydraulicsThe updated AS 7637 Hydrology and Hydraulics standard aims to help the industry build resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding more frequent and severe weather events. This standard has undergone extensive restructuring, removed duplicate industry known information and sharpened the focus on design requirements, inspection, and monitoring. It specifies the requirements for adequate planning and design in an environment of increasingly extreme weather events, and the development of a Flood Management Plan and Emergency Response Plan to mitigate flood risk to railway infrastructure, rail traffic and personnel. For more information about the standard, email RISSB at [email protected] or click to download it from our website. In the news - RISSB releases tool to help rail industry with complianceRISSB has developed a practical resource for the rail industry, particularly for organisations that are accredited or seeking accreditation under the Rail Safety National Law. The Management System Framework – Reference Guide is a strategic, operational, and compliance-enabling tool for the Australian rail industry. 
RISSB PRODUCT UPDATESProgress update - AS 7531 Lighting and VisibilitySignificant progress is being made on the update of the AS 7531 Lighting and Visibility standard. This review is ensuring train lighting requirements remain aligned with the ONRSR Code of Practice for Train Visibility at Level Crossings, with current efforts focusing on luminance contrast requirements. The review is being guided by more than 30 subject matter experts from industry and academia, reflecting a strong commitment to both technical rigour and practical application. As part of this process, research has commenced with the development of a model to refine luminance contrast testing measures. This model will be used to inform and optimise the design of field tests scheduled to start in September. These tests represent a critical step toward establishing a practical methodology for rolling stock operators to demonstrate compliance with AS 7531. It is anticipated that field testing will be completed by late September, with findings incorporated into the draft revision of AS 7531. The draft is planned to be released for public comment in Q4 2025. RISSB acknowledges the dedication and expertise of the AS 7531 Development Group, whose commitment to rail safety continues to drive this work. Current calls for Public ConsultationAS 7520.3 Body Structural Requirements – Passenger AS 7634 Rail Infrastructure Survey AS 7645 Rail Corridor Management AS 7457 Management of PAE Events TRAINING AND EVENTSRISSB MasterClass WebinarUnderstanding Sleep Disorders and the National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers 
How people and culture shape the future of the rail sectorCreating training accepted by rail organisations on the national network for interoperability is an important first step to harmonise skills and training to address labour shortages. The key challenge is to shift the view towards making decisions that the network rather than just the organisation. RISSB's Head of Learning and Development Matt Garratt attended ARA Rail People and Culture Conference and the NTC’s Future Rail Skills Forum in August - click to read his take on the conference. Undertake a Derailment InvestigationDates available until November 2025 Investigate Rail Safety IncidentsDates available until November 2025 RISSB NETWORKThe Human Factors Managers Group and the PAE (SPAD) Working Group from the RISSB Network held meetings in late July. A unique network of industry’s subject matter experts across the rail sector’s technical and operational disciplines, these groups make an important contribution to the industry, driving safety, harmonisation and knowledge sharing. The Human Factors Managers Group met on Thursday 24 July, discussing RISSB standards currently under review or development, updates from members and a potential human factors webinar early in 2026. The SPAD/PAE Group met on Monday 28 July to discuss current RISSB products, SPAD challenges and share member updates. 
Human Factors Managers Group meeting 
PAE (SPAD) Working Group meeting Industry's partner in co-regulation RISSB supports and works hand in hand with the Australian and New Zealand rail industry to provide the essential tools rail organisations need – good practice Standards, Codes, Guidelines and Rules.    
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