The Sydney to Canberra rail connection is set for a $100 million upgrade in a bid to reduce the time it takes to travel between the cities by train to under four hours.  

The Federal Government has announced it will put $50 million towards the works, as part of its 2026–27 budget.  

This funding will be matched by $25 million from the NSW Government and another $25 million from the ACT Government.  

Upgrades will begin this year and are expected to continue for up to five years.  

They are likely to include investigations into new express train services, new boom gates and lights at level crossings, and upgrades to track alignments, turnouts, stations and stabling.  

A business case will also be prepared, which will map out network upgrades and timetable changes to improve travel times.  

The next phase of the project could potentially include passing loops, track straightening and recanting.  

The 321-kilometre corridor earmarked for upgrades includes the line between Sydney Central station and Macarthur (operated by Sydney Trains), the Southern Line through the Southern Highlands to Goulburn (operated by the Australian Rail Track Corporation) and the Country Regional Network (CRN) branch line into Canberra (operated by UGL Regional Linx).  

The “immediate focus” for upgrades will be the line between Goulburn and Canberra.  

This will complement trackwork already underway on the ARTC Southern Highlands line between Goulburn and Sydney. 

New, faster Regional Rail Fleet trains, which will be rolled out from 2028, are expected to contribute to improved travel times.  

Travel by rail between Canberra and Sydney currently takes over four hours – sometimes as long as four-and-a-half hours – which takes longer than driving or flying.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the NSW and ACT governments have collaborated to identify “quick fixes” to the timetable and infrastructure between Sydney and Canberra.  

“More than 3000 people travel between Sydney and Canberra by air or coach every day, with tens of thousands more driving down the Federal Highway. So many of these regular commuters have consistently called for a more frequent and faster rail alternative.  

“I am pleased to be working with my State and Territory colleagues to get shovel-ready works underway while we also plan for long term improvements that will make a real difference.”