HomeCoursesRail and transportCertificate IV
Certificate IV · national qualification
Certificate IV in Train Driving
Train driving is mostly preparation, close attention and following rules exactly, and that is what this qualification teaches.
- How long it takes
- 6 to 24 months
- typical for this level
- Main job
- Train Driver
- $156,100 median pay
- Taught by
- 1 provider
- NSW
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate IV in Train Driving asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in how trains and railways work
- a careful and safety focused attitude
- good communication skills for working with control
- the ability to stay alert and manage your own fatigue
Before you start
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
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
Train Driver
Train drivers drive the locomotives and passenger trains that carry people and freight along fixed rail routes, working to the signals and timetable the network sets.
What else you need
Train driving is learned mostly as a paid trainee with a rail operator, who also requires a Category 1 Rail Medical. The award alone does not authorise you to drive on a network.
Median pay$156,100
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.
Where you can study this course
There's one place you can study this course. No provider pays to be listed here.
- Website for Southern Cross Rail Training Pty Ltd (opens in a new tab)
Southern Cross Rail Training Pty Ltd
Southern Cross Civil & Rail Training, NSW
4.7from 67 Google reviews
What you’ll learn
21 units: 12 that everyone takes and 9 you choose.
- Reading signals and trackside signs
- Preparing a locomotive for service
- Safeworking rules and procedures
- Safety critical communication
- Managing fatigue on shift
- Handling faults and emergencies
See all 12 core units
Core units
Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- 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 a person engaged in train driving activities. You will learn to inspect and prepare a motive power unit, read signals and trackside signs, follow safeworking rules, and handle faults and emergencies. It leads to roles such as train driver, freight train driver or electric passenger train driver.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
There are no entry requirements for this qualification itself, but individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.
Is a licence, registration or check required to work in this area?
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.