The National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers underpins the system for monitoring the health of rail safety workers in Australia. The national standard enables a consistent application of health standards across the rail industry, ensuring that medical criteria reflect the latest knowledge of health conditions and the impact on safe working performance. The National Transport Commission (NTC) reviews the national standard every three years. The 2017 Standard came into effect on 1 February 2017 and applies to all rail transport operators and rail safety workers in Australia.

Rail transport operators endorse selected doctors and health professionals to undertake medical assessments. All health assessments for rail safety workers are conducted in line with the current edition of the national standard.