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Certificate II · national qualification

Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure

This qualification prepares people for entry-level work on rail track and structures, the kind of jobs that keep a rail network safe and running.

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Illustration of a person working as railway Track Worker
How long it takes
6 to 12 months
typical for this level
How you can study
On campus
Main job
Railway Track Worker
$70,700 (estimate) median pay
Taught by
5 providers
Every state and territory

Is this course right for you?

What the Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

It helps to have

  • an interest in working on rail tracks and structures
  • a careful attitude to work health and safety
  • good hand skills for using and looking after tools
  • a willingness to work shifts, nights and weekends

Before you start

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

Certificate II or Certificate III?

Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure is a higher level than this Certificate II. This Certificate II covers basic operations within rail infrastructure, following known routines and taking some responsibility for the quality of work outcomes.

See the course

Where this course can take you

Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.

Jobs you can do with it

  • Railway Track Worker

    Railway track workers build and maintain the rails, sleepers and ballast that trains run on.

    What else you need

    This is an entry-level rail infrastructure qualification, currently delivered in the Track Work stream and available as a traineeship. Rail operators set their own safety induction and medical requirements, and the award alone does not give network access.

    Median pay$70,700 (estimate)

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.

Where you can study this course

There are 5 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

What you’ll learn

16 units: 6 that everyone takes and 10 you choose.

  • Hand tool use and upkeep
  • Safe manual handling
  • Basic workplace communication
  • Work health and safety
  • Fatigue management
  • Environmental procedures on rail sites
See all 6 core units

Core units

Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.

  • Loading the details for TLIB0012…

Questions to ask before you enrol

Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.

  1. When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
  2. What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
  3. Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
  4. Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?

Questions people ask

Who is this qualification for?

It is for someone starting out in rail infrastructure, including on tram and light rail networks. It prepares you for basic operations, following known routines and taking some responsibility for the quality of your work.

Do I need experience or other qualifications first?

There are no entry requirements for this qualification. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.

How is it different from Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure?

Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure is a higher level than this Certificate II. This Certificate II covers basic operations within rail infrastructure, following known routines and taking some responsibility for the quality of work outcomes.

Related courses

The national training register, training.gov.au. TAFE course pages, read 20 September 2026. Google reviews. Pay and shortage status from Jobs and Skills Australia.