Every life lost and injury on the rail network is a tragedy and the impacts on family, friends, communities, rail and recovery staff and witnesses can be profound. These incidents together with thousands of near hits each year can cause trauma and work-related stress and illness to rail and recovery staff. More information about the impact on the train driver is explained here and here.
They also cause can also cause disruption and delays to hundreds of services each year impacting customers and economic efficiency. A 2024 TrackSAFE study found that in 2022-23 alone, disruptions caused by suspected and attempted suicide, trespass and other injuries and fatalities on the Victorian passenger network cost the Victorian economy $314.2 million1..
The Rail Industry Trauma Management Framework developed by TrackSAFE provides guidance on best practice trauma management and should form the foundation of internal policies and procedures in rail organisations. Three trauma management training courses are available to support implementation of the Framework, with free, short, online training available from October 2025. Rail RUOK? Day is celebrated across the rail industry every April. Rail RUOK? activities throughout the year build skills and confidence to ask a workmate “R U OK?” and know what to say and do if they say no. TrackSAFE also offers a range of webinars and other activities to support the wellbeing and resilience of the rail workforce.
Working closely with rail organisations, the TrackSAFE Foundation is actively engaged in a wide range of rail safety activities including public awareness campaigns and facilitation of the annual Rail Safety Week. To prevent suicides on the rail network, it advocates for fencing and other barriers to reduce access to the rail corridor, encourages individuals to seek help before and at the time of crisis and has available free, online 30 minute Suicide Awareness Training for rail staff. It also promotes the responsible reporting of suspected and attempted suicides by the media. In partnership with Lifeline Australia, TrackSAFE implements public awareness campaigns to encourage individuals to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 whether they are in crisis or just needing someone to talk to.
Some people may find the content of this report confronting or distressing. The information included here places an emphasis on data, and as such, can appear to depersonalise the pain and loss behind the statistics. If this material raises concerns for you contact your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Between 2001-2024 there were 2,404 fatalities2, 1,747 suicides or suspected suicides and 6573 other fatalities on the Australian heavy rail network. This is a total annual average of 100 fatalities per year (73 suicides & suspected suicides and 27 other fatalities), or almost 2 each week. Most occurred in Victoria (44%) followed by New South Wales (30%), Queensland (12%), Western Australia (9%) and South Australia (5%) and 7 in the Northern Territory, 7 in Tasmania and 2 in the Australian Capital Territory.
Since 2016 rail operators have been required to report to ONRSR occurrences – be they fatalities, injuries or near hits in accordance with the National Rail Safety National Law. Between 2016-20244 there were:
- a total of 1,556 fatalities, injuries and attempted suicides with no injuries reported on ONRSR, an average of 173 per year.
- 744 fatalities, an average of 83 per year. 629 of these fatalities were suspected suicides, an average of 70 per year and 85% of all fatalities.
- 516 attempted suicides. There are likely to have been many more attempted suicides and threats of self-harm that did not meet the regulatory reporting threshold.
- 66 fatalities and 108 injuries to trespassers. In addition, there were 5,7555 near hits with trespassers, an average of 639 per year. There are likely to have been many more near hits that did not meet the regulatory reporting threshold.
- 28 fatalities and 156 injuries because of collisions with a road vehicle at a railway crossing and 16 fatalities and 19 injuries because of collisions with a person at a railway crossing. In addition, there were 8,313 near hits at level crossings, 4,466 with a road vehicle and 3,847 with people, an average of 923 per year. There are likely to have been many more near hits that did not meeting the regulatory reporting threshold.
- There were 5 other-struck by train fatalities and 13 injuries.
Notes
- Oxford Economics, 2024, Economic impact of incidents on the Victorian rail network 2022-23, Report prepared for the TrackSAFE Foundation
- National Coronial Information System, 2020 Intentional Self-harm deaths at Australian railway locations 2000–2017, (DR20-31 and DR20-31A), November, Melbourne Australia (for 2001-2017 suicide data), National Coronial Information System, 2021, Non-intentional self-harm deaths at Australian railway locations 2000-2017 (DR20-43), February, Melbourne Australia (for 2001-2017 other fatality data).
- This includes <4 other fatalities that occurred in 2000 in Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia, the exact number is not reported by NCIS.
- Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, Occurrence extract-fatalities, serious injuries, minor injuries, attempted suicide no consequence July 2015–December 2024 (for 2018-2024 data). The requirements for operator reporting of notifiable occurrences are set out in the Reporting Requirements for Notifiable Occurrences. See here for information about notifiable occurrences to ONRSR
- In 2022 the definition of near hit changed and this has resulted in only 8 incidents being reported in 2023-2024 compared to an average of 821 per year n 2016-2021.
National & state reports
The reports below include fatalities, injuries and near misses, as well as suicide, suspected suicide and attempted suicide on the Australian heavy rail network.
Other useful resources:
Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, Key occurrences interactive data
Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, annual Rail Safety Reports
Updated 29 April 2025