For the first time, AusRAIL – the largest rail conference in the Southern Hemisphere – will have a theme. The Australasian Railway Association tells us more.
Rail has experienced significant growth in the past decade. The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) report, The value of rail 2025, found the rail industry contributes $38.8 billion to the Australian economy each year, an increase of 30 per cent since 2019.
“Rail has been a key driver of growth in Australia for generations,” ARA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Caroline Wilkie said in her announcement of the report.
It is fitting then that AusRAIL 2026, built around a cohesive, future-focused theme: “On track for tomorrow”, will take place in Queensland, at a time when the state is at the heart of this growth.
While rail construction activity in New South Wales and Victoria is set to peak this year, Queensland is expected to see more sustained growth as the state prepares for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
As she prepares for her own Olympic experience, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transport Authority CEO Stephanie Wiggins will take the stage as AusRAIL’s headline speaker, discussing the challenges and opportunities of network transformation and the role of public transport in creating more connected cities.
Wiggins’ keynote will form part of a new structure for the conference program, with a full day of plenary sessions on day one, followed by a full day of concurrent sessions on day two.
The new structure will enhance the delegate experience and provide further opportunities to dive into the big issues that will ensure the rail industry remains on track for tomorrow.
This will include a focus on uncovering insights from successful project delivery and identifying opportunities to improve interoperability and harmonisation, particularly as the industry continues its digital transformation and embraces the opportunities associated with artificial intelligence (AI).
To support the comprehensive program, AusRAIL 2026 will also introduce a new delegate lounge to enhance the networking experience for attendees.
A Women in Rail Forum will be held the day before AusRAIL 2026 kicks off, building on the success of Women in Rail breakfasts in previous years.
Combined with a wide range of social events and a packed exhibition, these new initiatives provide many opportunities for participants to extend their conference experience further in 2026.
The AusRAIL 2026 conference and exhibition will be held from November 23 – 25 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC).
Join the discussions about the challenges shaping the future of rail in Australia and New Zealand, and how the industry will remain on track for a strong and vibrant tomorrow.
