The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has said now is the time to deliver high-speed rail, with national construction activity in the rail industry set to fall 35 per cent by 2031-2032.  

The peak body for the rail sector in Australia and New Zealand said that easing construction activity will unlock capacity for the project.  

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,” she said. 

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

Read more: High-speed rail enters next stage in Australian journey

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

Construction activity in New South Wales, where the first phase of high-speed rail will be delivered between Sydney and Newcastle, will reach its peak this year before declining by an average of 8.7 per cent per year.  

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,” 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. 

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

The first stage of high-speed rail would allow passengers to travel between Newcastle and Sydney in about one hour, and from the Central Coast to either city in about 30 minutes.