Industry Groups

Authorised Health Professionals

Supporting consistent, fit-for-duty health assessment across Australian and New Zealand rail through governance, accreditation and shared practice.

Why it matters

Rail operators in Australia and New Zealand have a responsibility to minimise risks and protect the safety of the public, rail safety workers (RSW), their fellow workers, and the environment.

A critical aspect is monitoring the health of rail safety workers. The National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers (the Medical Standard) was developed by the National Transport Commission (NTC). It is a mandatory requirement and is regularly reviewed and updated by the NTC. The latest edition came into effect on 11 November 2024.
Key links
RIW: Information available via the RIW website and service desk on 1300 101 682.

How accreditation works

Authorised Health Professionals
In the latest edition of the Medical Standard, only those accredited through the Authorised Health Professional (AHP) Program can conduct health assessments. Assessments in parts 4 and 5 are conducted by doctors and other health professionals who are accredited members of the AHP Program.
Chief Medical Officers
Many rail operators appoint a Chief Medical Officer (CMO). CMOs provide critical advice and input to the standards and processes around their application for their organisation and for the industry. CMOs provide content for the eLearning program, and annual re-accreditation is mandatory.

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICERS COUNCIL

Governance and oversight for RSW fitness assessment

The Chief Medical Officers Council (CMOC) is a formal group of CMOs from across the Australian and New Zealand rail industry which ARISO coordinates. CMOC provides overall governance of processes around assessing the fitness of rail safety workers (RSWs) and is guided by an agreed Terms of Reference.

CMOC responsibilities

  • Discusses key industry issues relevant to the health of rail safety workers
  • Provides expert medical advice in reviews of the Medical Standard
  • Oversees implementation across the rail industry, including:
Accreditation of Authorised Health Professionals (AHP)
Forms used in AHP processes and completion (audits)
Management of AHP performance concerns arising from audits
Learning and development materials and requirements for AHPs
Communication to the rail industry on matters related to standards and application

CMOC members (as at January 2025)

Name Appointed for
Dr Maria Mazaheri (Chair) Aurizon
Dr June Sims (Deputy Chair) Arc Infrastructure
Dr Armand Casolin (Management Committee) Transport for NSW, Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink
Dr Keith Adams (Management Committee) Queensland Rail
Dr Stuart Turnbull (Management Committee) Metro Trains Melbourne
Dr Graeme Edwards Keolis Downer Light Rail (Gold Coast), UGL rail operations (nationally), Golding (rail) and Liberty (rail)
Dr Heng Chong QUBE Logistics, Metro Trains Sydney, Pacific National and ARTC
Dr David Jones Progress Rail and Trojan Rail
Dr Matthew Brandt Fortescue
Dr Catherine Nixon Rio Tinto and Fortescue
Dr Thang Vuong Department of Infrastructure & Transport SA, Keolis Downer, Torrens Connect and Steam Ranger
Dr Robert Blakesley TasRail
Dr Simon Ryder-Lewis KiwiRail
Dr Robert McCartney Bowen Rail and Yarra Trams
Dr Joel Silbert BHP
Dr Russell Fayers Public Transport Authority Western Australia
Dr Christine McNeil Queensland Rail
Dr Jessica Maistry One Rail
For more information about CMOC, contact info@ariso.org.au.

Need help?
If you are a rail safety worker (RSW) or an AHP and have any questions, information is available via the RIW website or you can contact the RIW Service Desk on 1300 101 682.