The Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB) has developed a practical resource for the rail industry, particularly for organisations that are accredited or seeking accreditation under the Rail Safety National Law (RSNL).
“The Management System Framework – Reference Guide is a strategic, operational, and compliance-enabling tool for the Australian rail industry,” said Sudha Niles, General Manager Products and Innovation at RISSB.
“It helps ensure safety is managed effectively, consistently, and in line with national law, while giving operators the flexibility and clarity they need to build or enhance robust, tailored Safety Management Systems (SMS).”
Rail has been, and continues to be, a safe and reliable form of transport for both passengers and freight around the world.
In Australia, safety performance continues to improve, with data from the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator’s (ONRSR) Annual Safety Report showing a steady decline in railway-related incidents. Among the reasons for this continual improvement is the requirement for all Rail Transport Operators (RTOs) to have an SMS. An Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report found that organisations with a certified SMS have been found to have significantly lower incident rates.
An SMS is a structured framework that organisations use to manage safety risks in operations. It’s particularly critical in high-risk industries such as rail.
In Australia, ONRSR requires all RTOs to have an SMS that covers all of the 29 specific elements which align with the RSNL.
ONRSR Chief Executive Dr Natalie Pelham welcomed RISSB’s Management System Framework as a valuable tool to assist rail transport operators in meeting their safety management system obligations under the Rail Safety National Law.
“By mapping relevant RISSB standards, codes, and guidelines to the 29 elements of Schedule 1, this reference guide supports a consistent approach to developing and maintaining a safety management system,” Pelham said.
Niles said the new reference guide outlines a structured breakdown of the components that must be addressed in a rail organisation’s SMS, directly aligned with Schedule 1 of the RSNL Regulations (RSNLR).
“This alignment ensures consistency and compliance with regulatory expectations, helping operators avoid ambiguity or misinterpretation of the law,” he continued.
“The guide also acts as a one-stop reference by mapping relevant RISSB standards, codes of practice, guidelines, and national rules to each SMS requirement.
“This simplifies the process for RTOs to identify which documents they need to consult, adopt, or incorporate into their systems.”
The RISSB Catalogue of Products (RCoP) provides organisations with industry-developed requirements and recommendations in areas of rolling stock, infrastructure, train control systems, safety and operations and light rail.
With over 240 products, the RCoP provides an opportunity for organisations to find and implement industry best practice into their SMS.
The Management System Framework is not prescriptive. While it provides recommendations and references, it recognises that each operator may structure its SMS differently depending on its size, complexity, and risk profile.
This flexibility enables organisations to tailor their systems while still aligning with regulatory and industry good practice.
The framework encourages the integration of risk-based thinking, consistent with international standards and the RSNL’s requirement to manage safety so far as is reasonably practicable (SFAIRP). It supports the use of performance-based standards, allowing rail organisations to adopt flexible, innovative, and outcome-oriented safety controls.
By guiding operators to use common, nationally harmonised standards such as the Australian National Rules and Procedures (ANRP) and the Australian Harmonised National Rules (AHNR), this reference guide supports interoperability, reduces duplication, and facilitates consistent safety practices across the Australian rail network.
