The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has confirmed now is the time to deliver high speed rail, with easing construction activity in the industry unlocking capacity for the landmark project.

The ARA’s 2025 Australian Rail Procurement Pipeline Annual Report found national rail construction activity was set to fall 35 per cent by 2031-2032, from a peak of $17.3 billion in 2025-26 to $11.3 billion in 2031-32.

ARA Chief Executive Officer Caroline Wilkie said Australia should seize the opportunity to capitalise on the significant skills gained delivering major projects in recent years to bring high speed rail to life.

“The delivery of major projects across the country has strengthened Australia’s world-class rail construction capability,” Ms Wilkie said.

“Australia must make the most of these skills to deliver high speed rail before the opportunity is lost.”

Construction activity in New South Wales, where the first phase of high speed rail will be delivered, will peak this year, before declining by an average of 8.7 per cent per year to 2031-32.

Ms Wilkie said the 12-year delivery timeline for the first phase of the high speed rail project would ensure Australia could retain highly valued rail construction skills to support the country’s long-term needs as major projects such as Sydney Metro were finalised.

“This is a project that will transform Australia, creating economic opportunity, boosting local manufacturing capability and providing solutions to address the housing crisis,” Ms Wilkie said.

“Industry has capacity to deliver and stands ready to make high speed rail a reality.”

The rail construction sector generated 15,200 jobs in 2024, with more than 80 per cent of the workforce located on the east coast of Australia.

Key projects such as the Metro Tunnel in Melbourne and Sydney Metro’s city line have now been completed, while the Cross River Rail, Suburban Rail Loop and further sections of Sydney Metro are underway or planned.

Rail journeys between Sydney and Newcastle currently take up to three hours, with the route expected to reach capacity by the early 2040s.

High speed rail will improve journey times, provide more housing opportunities in more places, deliver net zero operations, and support economic and manufacturing growth for years to come.

The ARA has previously welcomed Infrastructure Australia’s support for the business case and looks forward to the Federal Government’s response.

ENDS