To achieve competency as a Protection Officer Level 1 for work on the TfNSW / Sydney Trains Network, participants must successfully complete all required training, assessment and authorisation stages.
Some stages are delivered by SCRT, while others are conducted by external parties, including approved TfNSW safeworking companies, independent assessors and Sydney Trains.

Successful completion of SCRT delivered training does not, on its own, result in authorisation to perform the role on the TfNSW/Sydney Trains Network.

The pathway is delivered in stages and is commonly referred to as blended delivery.

Stage 1: Protection Officer Pre-Assessment
The Protection Officer Pre-Assessment is a mandatory requirement for new candidates seeking Track Protection Officer Level 1 authorisation on the Sydney Trains Network. This assessment is designed to evaluate the skills and abilities required to perform the role of a Protection Officer and involves a structured range of assessment activities.

Candidates must achieve the required benchmark to receive a certificate of completion.

SCCRT has no input into, or influence over, the outcome of this assessment, as it is an external requirement for qualification on the TfNSW Network.
Your approved On Job training provider will explain this requirement in detail.

Provider: Assess Plus

Stage 2: Classroom Theory Training
This stage consists of five (5) consecutive business days of classroom-based theory training delivered by a qualified SCCRT Trainer/Assessor.
Training provides participants with the knowledge and instruction required to assess risk, source and interpret information, and identify, prioritise and implement worksite protection in accordance with the Network Rules and Procedures.

Participants are required to successfully complete multiple written theory assessments before they can progress to the practical on-job stage.

Stage 3: On Job Workbook (OJWB)
After successful completion of the theory assessments, participants will be issued an On Job Workbook (OJWB) covering the practical requirements relevant to the Protection Officer level being undertaken. This stage is an extremely important component of the pathway. It requires each participant to actively implement their learning and be exposed to real-life operational scenarios in the rail environment, under appropriate supervision. The OJWB is designed to collect clear evidence of your knowledge and experience in live operational settings and must include video, audio and photographic evidence of the required tasks. Each participant is responsible for ensuring that all required evidence is submitted in full and accurately reflects the activities undertaken. The OJWB must be completed under the supervision of a Supervising Protection Officer (SPO) who has been nominated and approved by the participant’s On Job training provider.
The SPO is responsible for providing instruction, demonstration and workplace supervision, and for signing off tasks where the required standard has been demonstrated.

Important: To work on the TfNSW Network, the OJWB provider must be a TfNSW-approved safeworking company authorised to provide safeworking resources and to enrol the participant into the Final Competency Assessment.

SCRT requires written confirmation from an approved TfNSW safeworking company that it will conduct the participant’s On Job training before final assessment arrangements can proceed.

Stage 4: Safety Critical Communications (SCC01)
Effective written, radio and telephone communication is essential for safe work in the rail environment.The Safety Critical Communications (SCC01) course is a mandatory requirement and must be successfully completed before a participant can attempt the TPO01 Final Assessment.
This course may be completed at SCRT with an approved SCRT Trainer/Assessor.
A Statement of Attainment must be provided to SCRT for verification before enrolment into the Final Competency Assessment.

On successful completion, participants will be issued with a Statement of Attainment for:
• TLIF0008 Apply safety critical communication in the rail environment

Stage 5: Final Competency Assessment
The Final Competency Assessment is conducted over one (1) day at SCCRT by an approved SCRT TfNSW Trainer/Assessor.
Before a participant can undertake this assessment, SCRT must have successfully validated the participant’s OJWB evidence and received the required Statement of Attainment for Safety Critical Communications.

If successful, the participant will be issued with a Statement of Attainment for the required nationally recognised units listed for this course.

Stage 6: Track Protection Authorisation Interview
After successfully completing the Final Competency Assessment, the participant’s approved safeworking company is then responsible for enrolling them into the Track Protection Authorisation Interview, which is conducted by TfNSW Trainers/Assessors.

This interview is a required authorisation step for performing the Protection Officer role on the Sydney Trains Network. If successful, the participant will be issued with a Statement of Attendance which, together with the relevant Statement of Attainment, forms part of the requirements to achieve competency as a Protection Officer Level 1.

SCRT has no input into, or influence over, the outcome of this assessment.
This is a Sydney Trains requirement for qualification on the TfNSW Network, and participants should discuss this stage in detail with their approved On Job training provider.

Stage 7: Practical In-Field Assessment with Sydney Trains
After successfully completing the Authorisation Interview, the participant’s approved TfNSW safeworking company must enrol them into a Practical In-Field Assessment. This assessment is conducted on-site by a Sydney Trains Rail Safety Coach or an approved TfNSW Petersham Safeworking Trainer/Assessor.

SCRT has no input into, or influence over, the outcome of this assessment.
This is a Sydney Trains requirement for qualification on the TfNSW Network, and participants should discuss this stage in detail with their approved On Job training provider.