From 1 January 2013, Australia's national transport safety investigator, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), will take responsibility for investigating safety events on the metropolitan passenger and freight rail networks across Australia.

 

According to the ATSB, this national focus will see more investigations conducted across a greater range of safety matters,  and will ulstimately mean improved safety through the sharing and implementation of safety findings across all states and territories.

 

A new Bill recently passed by Parliament allows states and territories to request the ATSB to conduct a rail investigation in their jurisdiction. However, as an established rail, aviation and maritime safety investigator, the ATSB will continue to make its own decisions about what to investigate.

 

The ATSB's national rail safety investigation role will complement the regulatory function of the new national rail safety regulator.