Life Membership recognises individuals who have provided long-term and distinguished service to the RTSA.

Typically awarded to members who have:

• Provided over 10 years of service to RTSA
• Made significant contributions to the society and the rail community.

Life Membership Award

Recognises mid-career professionals who have made significant contributions to the rail industry.

Eligibility

• Typically over 35 years of age
• More than 10 years of rail industry experience

Recognition

• CORE Conference registration (travel & accommodation included)
• Trophy and certificate

Railway Professional (Mid-Career) of the Year Award

Recognises individuals under 35 working in the rail industry or pursuing rail-related postgraduate study.

Prize includes

• $1,000 cash prize
• 1-year RTSA membership
• CORE Conference registration (travel & accommodation included)
• Certificate

Young Railway Engineer Award

Recognises engineers within four years of graduating who are making meaningful contributions to the rail industry.

Prize includes

• $1,000 cash prize
• 1-year RTSA membership
• CORE Conference registration (travel & accommodation included)
• Certificate

Graduate Engineer Award

Recognises an outstanding undergraduate thesis related to the rail industry.

Prize includes

• $2,000 cash prize
• 1-year RTSA membership
• CORE Conference registration (travel & accommodation included)
• Certificate

Nominations open until 15th December 2026.

Undergraduate Thesis Award

Recognises exceptional doctoral research advancing knowledge in the rail industry.

Prize includes

• $5,000 cash prize
• 1-year RTSA membership
• CORE Conference registration (travel & accommodation included)
• Certificate

Nominations open until 15th December 2026.

PhD Thesis Award

Recognises excellence in rail-related postgraduate research at Masters level.

Prize includes

• $3,000 cash prize
• 1-year RTSA membership
• CORE Conference registration (travel & accommodation included)
• Certificate

Nominations open until 15th December 2026.

Masters Thesis Award

Recognises individuals who have demonstrated long-term leadership and outstanding contribution to the rail industry.

Eligibility

• Typically over 20 years of industry experience

Recognition

• CORE Conference registration (travel & accommodation included)
• Trophy and certificate

Distinguished Rail Career Award (previously Individual Award)

The RTSA is the major sponsor of the Young Rail Professional Award which is awarded annually at the Australasian Rail Industry Awards. This Award aims to encourage young individuals to pursue a career in rail whilst acknowledging their efforts.

Australasian Rail Industry Awards – RTSA Young Rail Professional Award

The Order of Australia is the principal and most prestigious means of recognising outstanding members of the community at a national level and nominations are encouraged from all members of the Australian public.

Order of Australia

This scholarship is open to applications from railway professionals and technicians who can demonstrate an on-going record of work in the rail industry in Australasia and are desirous of attaining a higher qualification.

Scholarship value

• Up to $10,000

Recipients also receive:

• 1-year RTSA membership
• Certificate

RTSA Annual Scholarship

The RTSA is the major sponsor of the ARI Infrastructure Project Excellence Award which is awarded annually at the Australasian Rail Industry Awards. This Award was launched in 2023.

ARI Infrastructure Project Awards

Click more information to see profiles of each award winner since 1999.