Office of National Rail Industry Coordination (ONRIC)

We coordinate a national approach to building capability in the rail manufacturing sector.

Australia’s rail sector supports economic growth, connects communities, and helps develop sustainable cities and regions. 

We work with the National Rail Manufacturing Advocate, the Rail Industry Innovation Council and stakeholders to address industry needs and develop capability.

Office of National Rail Industry Coordination

National Rail Procurement and Manufacturing Strategy

We are developing a strategy to support the Australian rail manufacturing industry. 

The strategy will address 4 main themes identified with industry and government stakeholders: 

  • a nationally coordinated approach to rolling stock procurement and manufacturing
  • growing manufacturing capability through harmonising standards 
  • maximising public investment outcomes (including local content policies)  
  • improving research and innovation collaboration between industry, customers, researchers and designers.

We are continuing to engage with industry and government to inform strategy development, this includes:

  • the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
  • state and territory governments
  • rail peak bodies
  • rail transport operators
  • rail unions
  • manufacturers.

National Rail Manufacturing Advocate

The National Rail Manufacturing Advocate supports and drives genuine change in the rail manufacturing industry. The advocate serves ex-officio as Chair of the Rail Industry Innovation Council.

Ms Jacqui Walters
National Rail Manufacturing Advocate
Jacqui is an executive and non-executive director with experience across sectors including transport, renewables and major infrastructure. She has a record of achieving change in the public and private sectors.

Rail Industry Innovation Council

The Rail Industry Innovation Council supports sustainable rail manufacturing industry growth by identifying opportunities for innovation and technology adoption. This includes opportunities to reduce emissions across the broader transport sector.

Read the council's terms of reference

Mr Graham Bentley
Graham is an engineer and executive with technical experience in diverse major rolling stock projects in several countries.
Mr Danny Broad
Danny has extensive experience in the rail industry and policy development. He has built strong relationships with key stakeholders across all industry sectors.
Ms Vicki Brown
Vicki is a transport expert who has served in a range of public and private sector roles. She has a mix of government, research and industry expertise.
Ms Samantha McWilliam
Samantha is a respected rail leader. She has expertise as an engineer and executive with extensive experience working on urban projects in Australia and overseas.
The Hon Rachel Nolan
Rachel specialises in public policy, finance and the interface between the public and private sectors. She is a former state government transport minister and businessperson.
Professor Ravi Ravitharan
Ravi has more than 30 years’ experience in railway research, particularly in the management of applied research and technology development.
Ms Katarzyna Stapleton
Katarzyna has executive experience in finance, commercial and operational roles locally and internationally. This includes leading a major state rail statutory authority.
Mr Glenn Thompson
Glenn has a strong understanding of the manufacturing sector with experience in senior trade union roles and trustee directorships of industry superannuation funds.

Latest news

Moving train in focus with blurred background
Office of National Rail Industry Coordination

National Rail Manufacturing Plan appointments to lead change in the rail manufacturing industry

The National Rail Manufacturing Advocate and Rail Industry Innovation Council will work closely with the Office of National Rail Industry Coordination.
Train arriving at station
Office of National Rail Industry Coordination

Announcing the Office of National Rail Industry Coordination

The Office of National Rail Industry Coordination will lead a national and coordinated approach to strengthen Australia’s rail manufacturing.

More information

Read more about our manufacturing priorities