About the facility
What is the Rail Academy Newport?
Rail Academy Newport (RAN) is Victoria’s dedicated rail and infrastructure training facility. RAN provides training and assessment environments where industry can build the skills needed to deliver the state’s transport network upgrades and major project delivery.
RAN provides environments that are difficult to replicate elsewhere, including:
- Gazetted track for accessing the rail corridor and road rail vehicle training
- Signalling infrastructure for maintenance, designer and tester roles
- Facilities for equipment installation and type approval
- Full-scale station and train mockup
Each year RAN hosts around 30 different training programs. These programs support thousands of new entrants and experienced workers across Victoria’s rail and infrastructure sectors.
While RAN primarily supports rail infrastructure training, the facility is increasingly used for a wide range of activities. These include industry for workshops, team-based sessions, apprentice, cadet and graduate programs, practical demonstrations, school engagement, and community events led by industry.
Maintaining a training facility takes teamwork. RAN prioritises engagement with social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations to deliver essential services—from cleaning to garden maintenance. These partnerships create meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and support inclusive economic participation.
Who uses Rail Academy Newport?
Rail Academy Newport is more than a training space — it’s a collaborative facility shaped by ongoing input from industry and the organisations that use it. This partnership ensures RAN stays aligned with modern practices, emerging technologies and current standards.
It is used by:
- Rail operators – Metro Trains Melbourne, V/Line, Yarra Trams
- Road and rail infrastructure projects
- Training providers
- Industry employers, contractors, suppliers and manufacturers Community and education groups
Education and Community Engagement
Rail Academy Newport provides a safe environment for the industry to deliver education programs and community events. While RAN does not run these programs directly, the facility plays an important role in enabling hands-on learning and showcasing careers in rail and infrastructure. The facility also supports secondary school excursions and awareness programs that give young people insight into real rail and construction environments.
For more information on careers and entry pathways, visit Victoria's Big Build website.