Railway crossingAustralia

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Australia. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Australia

18. Railway crossing

A railway crossing, also called a level crossing or railroad crossing, is a place where a road or path crosses railway tracks at the same level. It may be protected by barriers, warning lights, bells, traffic signs or a combination of these measures.

Road users must approach carefully and never enter when a train is approaching, warning signals are active or the exit is blocked. They should cross promptly and must never stop, wait or become trapped on the tracks.

Unguarded railway crossing with a stop sign. (New Berrima, New South Wales, Australia)
Wikimedia.org • Maksym Kozlenko • CC BY-SA

When must I stop at a railway level crossing in Australia?

In NSW, stop for a STOP sign, flashing red lights, a closed gate or a railway employee’s stop signal. Do not enter while a boom gate is closing, down or opening; wait until the warnings have stopped and the gate is fully open. Do not enter with a train approaching or unless your whole vehicle can clear the crossing. Other states and territories set their own detailed rules.

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW Government, Railway level crossings

Warning for a railway crossing without barriers.

English • W7-7(R) with distance plate • Railway crossing ahead. A railway level crossing is 500 m ahead. Approach cautiously, look for trains and obey the crossing controls.

Sources

🔗 Qld.gov.au • Queensland Government • warning signs • W7-7(R) with distance plate
🔗 Qld.gov.au • Queensland Government • warning-sign illustrations

Warning for a railway crossing with one track.

English • Model rule 120 • level crossing sign • Railway crossing. A railway level crossing is at this location. Check for trains and obey any stop sign, give way sign, lights or barriers. State and territory rules and exceptions apply.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Pcc.gov.au • Australian Road Rules • model law • rule120; Schedule2p309
🔗 Legislation.qld.gov.au • Queensland Road Rules • local legislation example

SVG source: Standards Australia • Public domain • Original revision 2020-04-06. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a railway crossing with two or more tracks.

English • Model rule 120 • level crossing and track plate • Railway crossing with multiple tracks. More than one railway track crosses the road. After a train passes, check for another train before proceeding. The illustration leaves the number of tracks blank. State and territory rules and exceptions apply.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Pcc.gov.au • Australian Road Rules • model law • rule120; Schedule2p309 + track plate
🔗 Legislation.qld.gov.au • Queensland Road Rules • local legislation example

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Government of Queensland • Public domain • Source revision 2012-11-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Must I stop at every unguarded railway crossing in Australia?

Not merely because there are no barriers. In NSW, a STOP sign requires a full stop; at a GIVE WAY sign, slow down, look both ways and stop if a train is coming. At crossings without gates or flashing lights, look and listen carefully in both directions and cross only when safe. Check the applicable state or territory rules elsewhere.

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW Government, Railway level crossings

What if road traffic is queued beyond a railway crossing in Australia?

In NSW, you must not enter unless your entire vehicle can clear the railway crossing. Wait before the tracks until there is enough room beyond them; do not simply follow the vehicle ahead. Keep the tracks clear even if no train is visible. Other states and territories set their own detailed rules.

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW Government, Railway level crossings

Can I cross after a train has passed if the warning lights are still active in Australia?

In NSW, no. Wait until the warning lights have stopped flashing and the gates or boom gates are fully open. Check that no other train is approaching before crossing. Follow the applicable state or territory rules elsewhere in Australia.

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW Government, Railway level crossings

Pedestrian crossing

Mandatory direction

1 Australia 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Speed limit 5 Advisory speed 6 Bike path 7 Pedestrian warning 8 Bridge 9 Speed bump 10 Toll road 11 One-way traffic 12 Slope 13 Bus stop 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Pedestrian crossing 18 Railway crossing 19 Mandatory direction 20 Turn prohibition 21 School area 22 Crossing animals 23 Slippery road 24 Curve 25 Chevron 26 Wrong-way driving 27 Height limit 28 Radar speed sign 29 Selective barriers 30 Traffic lights 31 Traffic lights warning 32 Pedestrian lights 33 Road markings 34 Left-hand traffic 35 Driving licence 36 Location marker 37 Emergency telephone 38 No parking 39 No stopping 40 Disabled parking 41 Traffic management 42 Reversing 43 U-turn 44 Uncontrolled crossroad 45 Oversize load 46 Licence plate 47 Charging station 48 Local traffic 49 Moped 50 Truck 51 Bus 52 Police 53 Ambulance 54 Pothole 55 Path 56 Particulates 57 Air pollution 58 Rush hour 59 Road code 60 Two-way traffic 61 Street gutter 62 Cargo bike 63 Forestry vehicle 64 Construction vehicle 65 Semi-trailer truck 66 Trolleybus 67 Speed pedelec 68 Delivery vehicle 69 Idling 70 Tow truck 71 Four-wheel drive 72 Bicycle 73 Motorcycle equipment 74 Tram 75 Rail track 76 Caravan 77 Trailer 78 Tow hitch 79 Fire truck 80 Siren 81 Convoy 82 Emergency vehicle lighting 83 Agricultural machinery 84 Electric bicycle 85 Electric vehicle 86 Pedelec 87 Quadricycle 88 Microcar 89 All-terrain vehicle 90 Van 91 Recreational vehicle 92 Scooter 93 Trikke 94 Personal mobility device 95 Skateboard 96 Segway 97 Kick scooter 98 Roller skates 99 Mailman 100 Hitchhiker ...