Background
Section 38K of the Rail Management Act 1996 (the Act) allows the Minister responsible for the administration of that section to specify new maximum prices for the provision of declared rail transport services provided by an access provider by means of a declared rail network. Before doing so, section 38N of the Act requires the Minister to prepare a draft of the notice specifying the maximum prices (consultation draft) and invite submissions and comments from the public on that draft.
The purpose of this notice is to provide a summary of the content of the consultation draft and to invite feedback on the proposed rail access maximum prices. The consultation draft is attached at the end of this notice.
Submissions and comments
Submissions and comments on the consultation draft can be provided via email (freightvictoria@transport.vic.gov.au) by 29 May 2026. All submissions and comments will be considered in finalising the notice under section 38K that will specify the maximum rail access prices. Copies of this notice and the consultation draft are also available on the Department of Transport and Planning’s website and at the Department of Transport and Planning offices at 1 Spring Street Melbourne.
Overview of the Victorian Rail Access Regime
The Victorian rail access regime is set out in Part 2A of the Act. The Act allows the responsible Ministers to set rail access maximum prices and establishes rail access guidelines, which replaces the previous access regime administered by the Essential Services Commission.
To fulfil its policy commitments, the Victorian Government has reformed the access regime under which freight services are provided on the rail network. The reforms are designed to regulate rail access in Victoria in the interests of competition and economic efficiency.
Proposed rail access maximum prices
Rail access pricing is a charge imposed on those who want to run a train on the declared rail network (called "access seekers" in the Act) by providers of declared rail transport services ("access providers"). The declared rail network means the rail infrastructure used to provide declared rail transport services.
The Department of Transport and Planning recommends that maximum prices are adjusted each year according to indexation of annual price increases to Consumer Price Index for Melbourne – Series ID – A2325811C.
The notice which specifies the maximum prices must be published before 1 June 2026. It is proposed that the notice will commence operation on 1 July 2026.
Consultation draft – proposed rail access maximum prices notice
Rail Management Act 1996
NEW RAIL ACCESS MAXIMUM PRICES FOR THE 2026/27 FINANCIAL YEAR UNDER SECTION 38K
We, the Hon Gabrielle Williams, Minister for Public and Active Transport, and the Hon Melissa Horne, Minister for Ports and Freight, being the Ministers jointly and severally responsible for administering Part 2A of the Rail Management Act 1996, having regard to the matters specified under section 38K(2) of that Act, specify the maximum prices for declared rail transport services provided by Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM), V/Line and Victorian Rail Track (VicTrack), by means of a declared rail network, contained in the Schedule to this notice for the 2026/27 financial year.
Where a term used in this notice is defined in the Rail Management Act 1996, it has the meaning given to it in the Rail Management Act 1996.
This notice comes into operation on 1 July 2026.
Dated: 29/04/2026
The Hon Gabrielle Williams MP
Minister for Public and Active Transport
The Hon Melissa Horne MP
Minister for Ports and Freight
Schedule to Notice - Maximum prices for declared rail transport services
For the purposes of this consultation draft, the prices below display the maximum prices that would apply to the financial year 2026/2027. These prices have been adjusted for inflation based on the December 2025 Consumer Price Index for Melbourne.
Maximum prices for services provided by V/Line
| Services | Maximum prices | Unit |
|---|---|---|
Services Grain loop (fixed fee) | Maximum prices $112.47 | Unit Per train |
Services Variable (non-grain) | Maximum prices $3.33 | Unit Per ‘000’ Gross Tonne Kilometre (GTK) |
Services Variable (grain) | Maximum prices $6.04 | Unit Per ‘000’ Gross Tonne Kilometre (GTK) |
Services Cancellation charge, total planned path ≤ 100km (fixed fee) | Maximum prices $200.00 | Unit Per cancellation |
Services Cancellation charge, total planned path >100km (fixed fee) | Maximum prices $350.00 | Unit Per cancellation |
Maximum prices for services provided by MTM
| Services | Maximum prices | Unit |
|---|---|---|
Services Variable | Maximum prices $8.17 | Unit Per ‘000’ Gross Tonne Kilometre (GTK) |
Maximum prices for V/Line’s access to MTM’s network
| Services | Maximum prices | Unit |
|---|---|---|
Services Variable | Maximum prices $9.16 | Unit Per Kilometre |
Maximum prices for services provided by VicTrack
| Services | Maximum prices | Unit |
|---|---|---|
Services Locomotives | Maximum prices $21.35 | Unit Per locomotive |
Services Wagons | Maximum prices $21.35 | Unit Per wagon |
Services Carriages | Maximum prices $32.03 | Unit Per carriage |
In the Schedule to this notice:
Cancellation Fee means a fee payable by an access seeker to compensate the access provider for its administrative costs and loss of amenity in reserving a path for an access seeker. It is imposed if a booked train path is subsequently cancelled by the access seeker and not used. This includes scheduled paths which are not used, as well as cancellation of ad hoc paths.
Grain loop relates to the service provided on the North Geelong Grain Loop, which is a balloon loop that provides access to the GrainCorp grain rail unloading facility at the Port of Geelong.
Services means the declared rail transport services for which maximum prices are specified.
Variable (non-grain) relates to the service provided by all trains other than bulk (hopper wagon) grain trains.
Variable (grain) relates to the service provided by hopper wagon trains carrying all forms of grain.
Updated