Following our recent piece on the introduction of European Train Control System on Australian rail networks, interoperability reporting requirements have recently been introduced in the Rail Safety National Law National Regulations (Safety Management System) Amendment Regulations 2025 (Regulations), under the Rail Safety National Law (South Australia) Act 2012.
The Rail Safety National Law is a Schedule to the Rail Safety National Law (South Australia) Act 2012 and adopted and modified by an adoption Act in each state/territory.
The Regulations come into operation on 1 November 2025, but the requirements for rail transport operators to provide interoperability information will only apply from 28 February 2026.
What are the new Regulations?
The Regulations require that accredited rail organisations which operate on the National Network for Interoperability (NNI) have in place systems and procedures for the identification of interoperability matters and prepare an Interoperability Management Plan as part of their safety management system.
The NNI is defined in the Regulation as follows:
“National Network for Interoperability means the rail network comprised of those rail networks that are specified as the National Network for Interoperability by map or by description (or both), from time to time by the Regulator, following the unanimous approval of the responsible Ministers, by notice in the South Australian Government Gazette and on ONRSR's website, for the purposes of this definition.”
What is an Interoperability Management Plan?
An Interoperability Management Plan must:
- set out any interoperability matters that have been identified; and
- include systems and procedures to ensure that identified interoperability matters are taken into consideration before changes are made to the rail transport operator’s railway operations.
The Regulations define “interoperability matters” as those which relate to the ability of a rail transport operator’s railway systems to operate together with those of other rail transport operators, enabling railway operations to be undertaken safely and seamlessly on the NNI.
The National Transport Commission (NTC) is currently working with the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) to develop guidance material that will help industry develop their Interoperability Management Plan ahead of implementation. This follows a consultation paper which was released in May, on the proposed interoperability requirements.
Please contact Larissa Buriak or Chris Mitchell for further guidance.
