This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
This is a general qualification for a person driving a medium/heavy rail track vehicle from one location to another over main line track.
It involves a broad range of skilled applications in a wide variety of contexts, which may involve application of some discretion and judgement in selecting equipment, services or contingency measures. It may also include responsibility for coordinating the work of others.
Job roles
Job roles and titles vary across different sectors. Possible job titles relevant to this qualification include:
- track vehicle operator/driver
- track machine driver.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
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Financial help
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Government funding is not available for this course.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
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On-the-job training
- Apprenticeships and traineeships are not available for this course.
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Qualification only:
6 months – 1 year
- Qualification only:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Apply environmental procedures to rail infrastructure | Core |
| Apply fatigue management strategies | Core |
| Drive and monitor medium or heavy self-propelled on-track equipment | Core |
| Establish and operate braking system on medium/heavy self-propelled on-track equipment | Core |
| Follow work health and safety procedures | Core |
| Identify and respond to signals and trackside signs | Core |
| Operate under track protection rules | Core |
| Participate in basic workplace communication | Core |
| Respond to emergencies and abnormal situations when driving medium/heavy on-track vehicles | Core |
| Safely access the rail corridor | Core |
| Start up, shut down and stable medium/heavy self-propelled on-track equipment | Core |
| Access rail track to run track vehicle within defined worksite | Elective |
| Access rail track to travel track vehicle under a proceed authority | Elective |
| Access rail track to travel track vehicles under manual block working conditions | Elective |
| Apply accident-emergency procedures | Elective |
| Apply awareness of dangerous goods and hazardous materials requirements | Elective |
| Apply safety critical communications in the rail environment | Elective |
| Apply safeworking rules and regulations to rail functions | Elective |
| Apply track fundamentals | Elective |
| Carry out track ballasting | Elective |
| Check and assess operational capabilities of equipment | Elective |
| Clean equipment and restore worksite | Elective |
| Clip and secure points | Elective |
| Couple and uncouple track maintenance vehicles | Elective |
| Diagnose and rectify minor faults on on-track vehicles | Elective |
| Identify and meet customer requirements | Elective |
| Identify the principles of ballast cleaning operations | Elective |
| Identify the principles of ballast regulator operations | Elective |
| Identify the principles of dynamic track stabaliser operations | Elective |
| Identify the principles of mechanised track laying operations | Elective |
| Identify the principles of self-propelled rail grinder operations | Elective |
| Identify the principles of tamping machine operations | Elective |
| Maintain and use hand tools | Elective |
| Measure and record track geometry | Elective |
| Operate firefighting equipment | Elective |
| Operate rail traffic with due consideration of route conditions | Elective |
| Operate stand alone signalling/point control equipment | Elective |
| Process workplace documentation | Elective |
| Shift materials safely using manual handling methods | Elective |
| Test medium/heavy track vehicle braking system | Elective |
| Use communication systems for on-track vehicle operations | Elective |
| Use infotechnology devices in the workplace | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate II in Rail Track Vehicle Driving sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Railway Track Plant Operator
ANZSCO 721914
Railway Track Plant Operators operate plants to lay, align, repair and maintain railway tracks.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Tram Driver
ANZSCO 731312
Tram Drivers drive trams to transport passengers on urban light rail networks.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III
Training providers delivering Certificate II in Rail Track Vehicle Driving
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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Accell Pty Ltd (RTO code 32213)
Contact this provider
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Australian Testing Services Pty Ltd (RTO code 21642)
Contact this provider
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Centre For Excellence in Rail Training (RTO code 51333)
Contact this provider
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GORAIL (RTO code 20812)
Contact this provider
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Iron Training & Consulting (RTO code 52709)
Contact this provider
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THE INSTRUCTION COMPANY PTY LTD (RTO code 20928)
Contact this provider
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Training Professionals Pty Ltd (RTO code 31955)
Contact this provider
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Yakka Training (RTO code 41176)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.