30 Jan 2026
Prioritisation Methodology for Harmonised Rail Standards
Australia’s rail system is at a pivotal moment. Despite recent large investments in rail, the legacy of separate state systems has resulted in a collage of jurisdictional and network specific standards. This fragmentation slows innovation, complicates inter-jurisdictional operations and limits workforce mobility.
As the industry-led national standards body, ARISO has developed a draft prioritisation methodology that identifies standards with the greatest potential of national benefit, strong strategic alignment, feasible implementation pathways and demonstrable stakeholder commitment.
Strategic context
The methodology directly supports the delivery of national rail reform objectives and harmonisation priorities agreed by Australia’s Infrastructure and Transport Ministers:
- increasing Australian manufacturing of rolling-stock componentry
- streamlining infrastructure supply chains
- improving safety outcomes
- enhancing procedural efficiency and safety
- supporting training and skills accreditation for repeatable tasks.
It focuses on harmonised standards, which sit between mandatory national standards and jurisdiction-specific local standards, providing practical alignment across the rail sector.
Purpose and scope
The methodology establishes a structured, repeatable and transparent process for prioritising nominations for harmonised standards, including:
- technical standards
- codes of practice
- specifications
- rules and recognised ways of working.
It enables ARISO and stakeholders to consistently assess proposals based on strategic value, feasibility and readiness for adoption.
Governance and assurance
The methodology is designed to deliver on rail industry objectives and priorities and its governance structure ensures industry and government representation in assessing national priorities.
- An Assessment Committee undertakes structured evaluations and prepares evidence-based recommendations.
- An Oversight Committee validates outcomes, ensures alignment with national priorities and decides which standards should be harmonised.
- Final recommendations are referred to the ARISO Board for development approval.
How prioritisation works
The methodology comprises four sequential stages.
- Stage 1 – Nomination and initial evaluation
- Stage 2 – Assessment of nominated standards
- Stage 3 –Decision making
- Stage 4 – Standards development and publication
Proposals are assessed across three core themes:
- Strategic value – national safety, interoperability, productivity, innovation, workforce and sustainability benefits.
- Implementation feasibility – organisational capacity, workforce capability, technical readiness, and domestic and international compatibility.
- Stakeholder commitment and adoption – industry alignment, institutional support, cost efficiency and realistic adoption pathways.
Assessment outcomes are grouped into four priority bands:
- High priority – ready for development
- Medium priority – development candidate
- Mixed priority – strategic or long-term opportunity
- Low priority – not suitable at this stage
High-impact but low-feasibility proposals are retained in strategic opportunities register to support future planning.
Decision making
The Oversight Committee interprets assessment results using the four priority bands. Based on the above framework, the committee may issue one of the following determinations:
- endorsed for harmonised standards development
- conditional endorsement
- deferred for further assessment
- not endorsed.
Endorsed proposals transition into ARISO’s standards development workplan, including resource allocation, working group formation, consultation, approval and publication.
Continuous improvement
The methodology will be used to set the harmonised standards work plan for the next year. To ensure best practice and continuous improvement we will review its effectiveness at the end of its first cycle and update the methodology accordingly. Lessons learnt will be used to refine criteria, tools and guidance.