A new report has confirmed rail has a growing role to play in driving economic growth and achieving improved safety, sustainability and liveability in our cities and towns.
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) released The value of rail 2025 today, outlining the significant economic, community and environmental benefits that rail delivers.
The report found the rail industry contributes $38.8 billion to the Australian economy, an increase of 30 per cent since 2019.
ARA Chief Executive Officer Caroline Wilkie said the report confirmed the industry’s growing contribution to the economy and highlighted the need for continued investment in rail to reduce emissions, improve safety and enhance the liveability of Australian communities.
“Rail has been a key driver of growth in Australia for generations,” Ms Wilkie said.
“The value of rail 2025 confirms the industry is playing an increasing role in our economy and community, supporting almost 200,000 jobs and delivering more efficient, sustainable transport networks.
“The growth in the rail industry’s contribution highlights the importance of recent rail infrastructure investment and reflects the growing recognition of the role rail plays in creating thriving cities and towns.”
Key highlights from the report included:
- Rail generated $38.8 billion for the economy in 2024, up 30 per cent from 2019
- Rail created 196,629 jobs across the country in 2024, up 14 per cent from 2019
- Passenger rail has rebounded post COVID-19, with 627 million train journeys and 227 million light rail journeys in 2023-24. Sydney and Melbourne are our public transport hubs, accounting for 83.2 per cent of all passenger journeys
- Rail accounts for 71 per cent of the national freight task, carrying five times more bulk freight than road. Containerised freight makes up about 10 per cent of rail’s total freight task
- Rail infrastructure has emerged as a critical driver of national growth, with increasing investment in rail projects over the last five years
- Manufacturing and supply continues to play a critical role in the economy, generating $3 billion in activity each year
- Rail is critical to driving down emissions, with passenger rail generating 40 per cent less carbon pollution than road and rail freight being 16 times less carbon intensive than road
Ms Wilkie said the report provided a snapshot of the value rail delivers.
“Investing in rail delivers wide ranging benefits to the community, from creating the jobs required to build and operate our railways to reducing congestion, improving community safety and driving down emissions,” Ms Wilkie said.
“The report makes a clear case for continued investment in rail to unlock further economic and community benefits for Australians.”
The value of rail 2025 builds on the findings of the 2020 edition of the report, detailing key economic, environmental, safety and community benefits rail delivers.
View a copy of the report here.
ENDS