How to renew RIW card?

April 15, 2025

Wondering how to renew your RIW card? Staying compliant in the rail industry means keeping your credentials current—here’s what you need to know.

If you work in the Australian rail industry, keeping your rail industry worker card, also known as the RIW card, up to date is essential.

Rail is a high-risk industry and is governed by safety protocols and compliance requirements by the Rail Safety National Law in Australia. All contractors and rail workers need relevant competency certifications to access the rail corridor and safely work in the Australian rail industry.

The RIW Program aims to establish a single national competency management system enabling participant organisations to track a worker’s job roles, competencies, and previous projects and employers. By maintaining a single electronic record of each worker’s health, education, and competencies, the RIW program assists in meeting regulatory requirements and compliance with Rail Safety National Law.

As part of this system, the RIW card serves as your proof of competency and allows you access to worksites across participating rail networks.

How long does RIW card last?

The validity period of RIW cards is five years from the date of issue. You must renew your card before it expires to avoid any work-related disruptions.

For instance, if you undertake a Handsignaller course, you can’t get on track as a qualified hand signaller until your RIW card is updated. Therefore, the card must be updated in a timely manner after every successful rail corridor course completion by a rail safety worker. Once it is updated, they are considered qualified for the skill set they acquired during the training.

The RIW card gives an assurance to Principal Contractors, Network Operators, and other contractors in the industry that the rail industry worker is qualified, competent, and medically fit to perform various rail jobs.

Read more: How to get a RIW Card?

Like many certifications, the RIW card comes with an expiry date. So, how do you renew it? Here’s a step-by-step guide to make sure your access stays uninterrupted.

How to renew your RIW card?

1. Check the expiry date of your RIW card

Your RIW card is typically valid for five years. You can find the expiry date by logging into your myRIW profile or checking the physical card if you have one. It’s a good idea to plan ahead—start the renewal process at least a few weeks before the expiry date to avoid any disruption to your work.

2. Complete necessary training or medical updates

Some competencies or medical assessments linked to your RIW profile may also expire around the same time. Before your card can be renewed, make sure you’ve completed any required refresher training or medicals. These can include:

  • Rail medicals
  • Drug and alcohol testing
  • National competency updates (e.g., TLIF2080, TLIF1001)

Keeping these updated ensures you’re always qualified to commence work in the rail sector without delay.

Your employer or the RIW website will have details on what’s required for your role.

3. Contact your primary employer or RIW administrator

Only authorised employer administrators can update your profile and assist with the renewal process. Let your employer know your card is expiring so they can guide you through the necessary steps and ensure your records are up to date in the RIW system.

4. Ensure your details are current

Log into your myRIW portal and confirm that all personal details, competencies, and job roles are current. This will help prevent delays in the renewal process.

5. Receive and use your renewed card

Once your records are verified and updated, your new card will be issued. Depending on the process used by your employer or the RIW administrator, you may receive a new physical card or simply continue using your virtual card via the RIW app.

Final tip:

Stay proactive. Set reminders for when your card and competencies are due to expire. That way, you’ll stay job-ready without any last-minute stress.

Why is it important to get your RIW card updated quickly?

There are many benefits to maintaining the most recent and up-to-date information on your RIW profile.

  • Employers and rail contractors want to avoid injury compensation claims, and they won’t hire you for a competency that is not reflected in your card
  • It reflects your commitment to safety and compliance, allowing you to stand out from other job applicants
  • Keeping your data current and secure significantly improves your job prospects
  • Up-to-date RIW profile means you can be considered for promotions by your current employer/contractor and can grab other opportunities within the rail industry
  • You can’t access the rail corridor until the required competency is not updated on your card
  • It helps your employer meet their compliance obligations

Register yourself in a nationally recognised Safely Access the Rail Corridor (SARC) course with a credible participating training organisation, and they will upload your competencies to your RIW profile once you complete your training.

48-hour RIW card updates with CERT

CERT is one of Australia’s leading rail training organisations currently offering the TLIF0020 – Safely Access the Rail Corridor (SARC) course for safety around the rail corridor.

SARC is an entry-level course for rail workers in Victoria, and students will often get their RIW account set up as a result of doing this course so they can have their qualifications updated in their online RIW account.

This rail corridor course is also a mandatory requirement to get a RIW card for many rail network providers in Australia, including Australian Rail Track Corporation, Transport for NSW (TfNSW), Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM), and Queensland Rail. It gives you the basic knowledge and skills required for safely entering, navigating and working in the rail corridor.

Why CERT?

  • Up-to-date knowledge with hands-on skills for safely accessing the rail corridor
  • Uploaded to RIW account within 48 hours
  • Get on-site ASAP
  • Free upload

Conditions for Getting 48-hour RIW Card Updates:

  • Must have an active RIW account
  • Must have valid RIW account information
  • Courses must be undertaken with CERT
  • Doesn’t include medicals
  • 48 business hours (excludes weekends)

Where CERT offers 48-hour card updates

What sets CERT apart from the competition is that your competencies are updated on your RIW card within 48 hours of completing the training. CERT is the first training organisation in the industry to follow this best practice.

The idea is to allow students to get on track with their new qualifications as soon as possible. Similarly, employers don’t have to pay employees for their higher qualifications only to find out that they can’t work at that level until their card is updated.

Currently, CERT offers 48-hour RIW Card updates in the following States across Australia.

  • Victoria

Kickstart your RIW card course with CERT

The RIW system is a great way for employers, contractors, and network operators to ensure safety around the rail corridor. It also makes compliance with industry standards easier.

If you’re a rail industry worker seeking new opportunities and a long and safe career in the Australian Railways, it’s a must for you to have the necessary qualifications and competencies updated on your RIW card.

Register yourself in the CERT’s RIW Card Course: TLIF0020 – Safely Access The Rail Corridor (known as SX52 / RISI in NSW) now and earn the right to serve in the rail industry.

The cherry on top? Your RIW card will be updated within 48 business hours!

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