Australia’s rail safety leaders unite at the 25th Annual RISSB Rail Safety Conference

The Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB) hosted its landmark 25th Annual Rail Safety Conference in Sydney on 13-14 May, drawing hundreds of rail professionals from across Australia and New Zealand. The event brought together rail transport operators, engineers, project managers, investigators, safety professionals, and senior executives, all united by a shared commitment to maintaining one of the world’s safest rail networks.

Carly Grigg, Industry Engagement Manager attended the two-day event, which featured a dynamic program of keynote addresses, case studies, and interactive panels. “The conference tackled some of the most critical issues facing our industry,” said Carly, “The focus on rail safety case studies, and emerging technologies made it a valuable experience for anyone committed to advancing rail safety in Australia.”

Over two days, attendees participated in expert-led panels and discussions, including the CEO, Safety Leaders’, and Chief Engineers’ Panels, as well as the popular Mock Trial, focusing on national safety reform. The event underscored the value of collaboration and a unified workforce approach, with organisations like ISA aligning efforts around interoperability, harmonisation, and safety priorities.

Celebrating Excellence: 2025 RISSB Rail Safety Awards
The conference also hosted the 2025 RISSB Rail Safety Awards, recognising outstanding contributions to safety and innovation in the rail sector. ISA proudly acknowledges all winners and finalists for their achievements:

Community Safety Initiative – Ollera Creek Emergency Response, Queensland Rail
Frontline Worker Safety Initiative – BallastMate, Martinus
Safety Leadership Program – Real-time Access & Possession Display, Sydney Trains
Emerging Leader – Linda Toovey, Laing O'Rourke
Industry Safety Professional – Kylie Pearse, John Holland
Development Group Member of the Year – Adrian Hudson, ARTC

As the rail industry continues to evolve, the RISSB Rail Safety Conference remains a cornerstone event for driving innovation, sharing knowledge, and reinforcing Australia’s global leadership in rail safety.