30 Jan 2026
ARISO The Standard Edition 2, January 2026
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Edition 2, January 2026 A message from Alan Fedda | CEO Well, it certainly hasn't slowed down over the holiday and New Year period at ARISO. Whilst it's only been two months since members voted at the AGM to create a stronger industry-led standards organisation, we've been busy working on real tangible changes that will define our work plan and how we develop standards in the future. In this edition of The Standard we share with you some of the detail of this reform. Change requires strong leadership, and our members supported a new Board for a transition period of two years as we shape the new ARISO and navigate our role in the proposed changes to the Rail Safety National Laws that will consider the role harmonised standards will have across our industry. With this in mind, our new Board takes effect on 1 February 2026, and as you can see from our recent appointments, we are in strong hands. We welcome Matt Longland, Steve Butcher, Sally Stannard and Jeroen Weimar who will join Independent Chair, Dr Gillian Miles AM and Independent Directors Dr Tim Kuypers and Tony Braxton-Smith to steer ARISO's future. Building a new harmonised standards prioritisation methodology and a strengthened standards development process is already underway and both will be pivotal in defining the standards of national importance and building confidence in their adoption. We are excited to provide updates on both. Developed in collaboration with industry and government, the prioritisation methodology provides a structured way to identify, assess and prioritise standards projects. It ensures that effort and investment are directed to where they will deliver the greatest value for the rail system, while remaining flexible and responsive to emerging risks, reform and future needs. The strengthening of the ARISO standards development process will refine how we develop, deliver and maintain products that are technically robust, transparent and fit-for-purpose, and meet industry and government expectations. This new standards era will also be front and centre at the ARISO Rail Safety Conference 2026, and in the recognition of excellence through the ARISO Rail Safety Awards 2026. Join us in Melbourne on 19 and 20 May. I’m also pleased to note the publication of five new Australian rail Standards that are featured in this edition. These products reinforce our commitment to safer operations, stronger asset management and greater consistency across Australia’s rail networks. Thank you for your ongoing engagement and support. Together, we are building a safer, more connected and more efficient rail system for Australia. 
Prioritising harmonised rail standards for national impactTo ensure effort is focused where it delivers the greatest national benefit, ARISO has developed a draft Prioritisation Methodology for Harmonised Rail Standards. Working collaboratively with industry stakeholders and in consultation with members who provided valuable input, it will be finalised for ARISO’s Board consideration. The approach reflects how rail operates in practice. Proposals are informed by real operational and safety challenges, consider existing domestic and international standards, and are assessed with a clear view of how changes would be implemented across different networks. This ensures harmonised standards are both technically sound and practical to apply. Strengthening the ARISO standards development processThe strengthening of the ARISO standards development process is underway. Mark Smith, a highly experienced rail executive has been appointed to project lead its development and deployment. Alongside the harmonised standards prioritisation methodology, the strengthened process will define how ARISO develops, delivers and maintains its standards. Industry engagement has commenced on this project. Read more about this project in the February edition. 
New appointments to ARISO BoardFrom 1 February 2026, ARISO welcomes a Board for a two-year transition period. The appointments of four new Directors reflect the decision of Members at the November 2025 AGM to support ARISO’s strengthened role in leading rail standards development, supporting national consistency, interoperability, safety and productivity across Australia’s rail network. 
ARISO Rail Safety Conference 2026 - register nowA new standards era has begun, and the ARISO Rail Safety Conference 2026 is where rail safety leaders, innovators and operators come together to shape the future. This is the must-attend event for anyone passionate about safety, interoperability and productivity. Over two days of expert-led sessions, debates, and networking, you’ll gain new insights, discover practical solutions, and help drive the industry forward. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the national rail safety conversation. Open for submissions - 2026 ARISO Rail Safety AwardsThe 2026 ARISO Rail Safety Awards celebrate the safety achievements of individuals and teams across the rail industry. Tell us how you and your team have made a difference being champions of safety! Submissions close on 17 April 2026 and the winner will be announced at the Rail Safety Conference dinner in Melbourne on 19 May 2026. PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTAS 7520.3 Body Structural Requirements – Passenger This Standard will help improve safety of future of passenger and crew cars through detailed design requirements for maintaining structural integrity during incidents. Having undergone a major review, the updated Standard contains significant changes including the integration of human factors into procurement and design, strengthened manufacturer reporting requirements on design concepts and structural connections, the inclusion of crew car requirements, and updated structural load ratings. ARISO PRODUCT UPDATESFive new ARISO Standards now publishedARISO is pleased to announce that five new Australian rail Standards, approved by the ARISO Board on 27 November 2025, are now available via the Products page on our website. These Standards support safer operations, stronger asset management and improved consistency across Australia’s rail networks, reflecting ARISO’s role as the national industry-led technical standards body. Public ConsultationAS 7531 Lighting and Visibility AS 7471 Rail Personal Protective Equipment – Minimum Requirements Development GroupsAS 7530 Rolling Stock Electrical Systems AS 7706 Interface with Points TRAINING AND EVENTSInvestigate Rail Safety IncidentsDelivered in partnership with CERT (RTO 51333), the TLIF0045 – Investigate Rail Safety Incidents course blends theory with practical exercises, giving participants the confidence and competence to apply their learning immediately in operational settings. This course’s content reflects the 2025 release of the Rail Safety Investigation Code of Practice. 
Join ARISO MasterClass webinarWhat if the biggest risks at passive level crossings are the ones we’re not seeing? We're kicking off the 2026 webinar series with Seeing What We’ve Been Missing: Technology-Driven Insights into Passive Level Crossing Risk — a sharp, practical look at how new technology and data are uncovering hidden behaviours and conditions that drive risk, especially across regional networks. 
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