The ARA has lodged its 2026-27 Pre-budget submission, providing a range of recommendations to support sustained investment in the rail industry to support a productive, safe and resilient rail network to meet our future needs.

The submission made four key recommendations:

  • Establish long-term, recurrent funding for the maintenance, upgrade and resilience of the national rail freight network
  • Create a dedicated rail decarbonisation rail funding program to support mode shift and accelerate the net zero transition
  • Extend the Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund and establish a Rail Safety Innovation and Awareness Program
  • Provide ongoing and expanded funding to support the next phases of the National Rail Action Plan

 

Download submission