How to become a Railway Track Worker

Lays, aligns and repairs tracks for railways, tramways, quarries and mines.

Main tasks

• Removes and replaces damaged or worn-out tracks
• Measures and marks out areas for track construction or repair
• Operates small machinery and equipment to lay tracks
• Aligns and levels tracks using specialised tools and equipment
• Welds or bolts tracks together to ensure stability and safety
• Conducts regular maintenance and repairs on tracks and equipment

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure (TLI37122); Certificate III in Rail Structures (TLI32121); Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure (TLI27121); Certificate II in Rolling Stock Maintenance (TLI29921); Certificate IV in Rail Infrastructure (TLI47121)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 5,800 people work in this job group now, and about 5,800 are projected by 2035. (+1.2%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Driller's Offsider
• Lagger
• Mining Support Worker
• Rail Protection Officer
• Surveyor's Assistant

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Railway Track Worker?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure; Certificate III in Rail Structures.

Is a Railway Track Worker a growing career in Australia?

Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 5,800 people now and 5,800 later (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Railway Track Worker?

Usually not. Only 6% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure; Certificate III in Rail Structures.

Will AI change the work of a Railway Track Worker?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04