Track Worker Job Description, Qualifications and Career Opportunities

With the current ongoing boom in infrastructure & mining projects in Australia there is growing demand for workers with specialist skills for working on railway projects. However getting into the railway industry in Australia can be hard and a lot of people start off as Track Workers. Here we run through the job description of a Track Worker, what qualifications/experience is required and what opportunities are available after that.

Track Worker

Railway Track Workers are responsible for doing the physical work of building and maintaining infrastructure assets such as rail track, bridges, tunnels, platforms, level crossings, and overhead wiring structures. Crews (sometimes called ‘gangs’), maintain the tracks (also called ‘right-of-way’) and use heavy plant equipment, such as excavators, graders and bulldozers, as well as picks and shovels.

Duties and tasks

• spreading and tamping ballast to provide firm foundation for sleepers
• cutting rails to length and grinding worn and rough rail ends
• placing sleepers across roadbeds, and positioning and fastening rails on sleepers
• drilling bolt holes, and bolting and welding rail sections
• removing and replacing worn and damaged rails, sleepers and switches
• cleaning and lubricating switches
• examining track, lubricating wheel bearings on rolling stock and maintaining switch signal lamps
• installing and repairing signals and other equipment
• may assist with the righting of derailed rolling stock

Skills required

A high level of safety awareness is most definitely required, along with;

• Ability to follow instructions
• Active listening skills
• Ability to maintain & repairing equipment
• Physical strength and agility
• Ability to work well in a team

Working conditions

Rail infrastructure workers spend most of their time outdoors and the work is physically demanding.  One of the exciting parts of working in the Rail industry is that you will have opportunities to work in many different environments and locations around Australia, from the outback mine sites in the Pilbara to the Metro jobs in the middle of Sydney or Melbourne. Another aspect of working on rail that people find attractive is the opportunity to work fly in fly out rosters such as 2:2 where you work for two weeks straight (usually on mine sites) and then fly back home for two weeks R&R.

There is also a great sense of comradery & community when working on the railway with many workers working alongside each other for years on different projects. You can find yourself working on a crew of anywhere from 10 to 80 for regular work and on shutdown work their could by upwards of 400 on site for a number of days.

Career paths

With the government ramping up national infrastructure projects & three new mines due to be built in WA over the next decade then demand for track workers and railway infrastructure workers is on the increase. The rail industry offers a wide range of opportunities. Experienced track workers can advance by becoming skilled in operating the machines used to repair & maintain the track (Tampers, Regulators, Ballast Cleaners). The most qualified and experienced track workers may become a track inspector or track supervisors of road gangs. Other career path opportunities may include roles as a plant maintainer, hi rail operator, track welder, and non-destructive tester (ultrasound rail).

If you are keen and show ability you may be offered the opportunity to gain additional qualifications such as track protection, track resurfacing, and rail infrastructure.

Entrance requirements

There are no specific requirements for infrastructure workers however that does not mean just anyone can get a job on track, most new entrants are vetted on their ability to work well within teams, previous construction experience and their can do attitude. As workers will be spending large amounts of time alongside each other (12 hour days for possible weeks on end!) then the existing crews want to know that any new entrants are reliable and will fit in, It can be more akin to joining a family then getting a job! Employers usually require Year 10. You are expected to up-skill as technology changes. Typically, inhouse training is made available and employees are encouraged to increase their knowledge in specialist areas.

In Australia, there are related qualifications that may help in your career. These are:

Certificate III options

• Certificate III in Track Protection
• Certificate III in Mechanical Rail Signalling
• Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure
• Certificate III in Rail Track Surfacing
• Certificate III in Rail Structures
• Certificate III in Track Vehicle Operating

Certificate IV options

• Certificate IV in Rail Infrastructure
• Certificate IV in Rail Structures

Diploma option

• Diploma of Rail Infrastructure

Advanced Diploma option

• Advanced Diploma of Rail Infrastructure