TLI23221Certificate IICurrentTLI training package

TLI23221 Certificate II in Shunting

TLI23221 is the nationally recognised Certificate II behind railway track plant operator work. It has been the current version on the national register since 2021, when it replaced TLI23220. About 336 railway track plant operator jobs were advertised in June 2026, up 10.1% on a year earlier.

Often searched as Cert 2 in Shunting · Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au
Online job ads · June 2026
336last month
Railway track plant operator roles advertised across Australia
Up on a year earlier
Long-term outlook
Positive
Two structural signals up
Register status
Current
Replaced TLI23220 in 2021
Enrolments
Rising fast
Up 148% in a year
Funding status
Verification pending
Checked against official state program lists
The short answer

The independent signals behind the Certificate II in Shunting line up. Railway track plant operators are in national shortage, enrolments are rising and job ads in June 2026 were up 10.1% on a year earlier. These are official statistics, not a promise about your result.

Jobs and Skills Australia

Is the work there?

Employers are posting more railway track plant operator jobs than a year ago. About 336 railway track plant operator jobs were advertised online in June 2026, up 10.1% on a year earlier. Over the last 12 months there were about 3,900 job ads, while 310 people were training in the qualification nationally (2025). Ads show the market. Enrolments show the pipeline. Neither is a job promise.

Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index · latest month June 2026 · ANZSCO 7219
336
Combined monthly online job ads across Railway Track Plant Operator, to June 2026

Official shortage list

Australia's official shortage list rates linemarkers, railway track plant operators and road roller operators as in shortage. The 2025 Occupation Shortage List rates Linemarker, Railway Track Plant Operator and Road Roller Operator as in national shortage; Aircraft Baggage Handler and Airline Ground Crew, Paving Plant Operator, Streetsweeper Operator and Mobile Plant Operators nec as not in shortage.

Jobs and Skills Australia, Occupation Shortage List · 2025 assessment

Ten year outlook

Railway track plant operator jobs are projected to stay about flat. Jobs and Skills Australia projections put these occupations at 13,762 workers in May 2025, 13,682 by May 2030 (down 0.6%) and 14,274 by May 2035 (up 3.7%).

13,762
workers, May 2025
13,682
workers, May 2030
14,274
workers, May 2035
Jobs and Skills Australia employment projections · May 2025 to May 2035
Occupation mapping by Get Course, shown with ANZSCO codes so it can be checked.
NCVER Total VET Activity

Who is training

More people are choosing the Certificate II in Shunting every year. Across Australia, 125 people enrolled in 2024. In 2025 it was 310, up 148% in a year. National data for TLI23221 starts in 2022.

NCVER Total VET Activity · 2025 collection
training.gov.au · Australian Qualifications Framework

What does studying it involve?

The register and the national framework set some of this. Providers set the rest.

How long it takes
A Certificate II is typically 0.5 to 1 year of full-time study under the Australian Qualifications Framework. Providers set the exact length and pace.
Delivery
Providers set the delivery mode.
Credit for experience
Recognition of prior learning applies to TLI23221 like any qualification on the national register: an approved provider assesses your evidence against each unit.
training.gov.au national register; Australian Qualifications Framework.
State subsidised training lists

What does it cost, and who funds it?

State funding for TLI23221 is being verified against official program lists.

Eligibility and student contributions vary by program and provider. The official state listing is the source of truth. In a subsidised place the government pays most of the tuition and you pay a co-contribution set by the program and provider.

Official state subsidised training program lists, verified per state. Full-fee prices will appear here as partner courses are listed.
training.gov.au · unit packaging

What is in the qualification

The Certificate II in Shunting is 16 units: 9 core, plus 7 electives chosen from 11 options on the register.

  • TLIB0013Apply knowledge of rail operation fundamentals in yards or sidings
  • TLIC3017Shunt rolling stock
  • TLIE1003Participate in basic workplace communication
  • TLIF0008Apply safety critical communications in the rail environment
  • TLIF0020Safely access the rail corridor
  • TLIF2006Apply accident-emergency procedures
View all 9 core units
  • TLIF2010Apply fatigue management strategies
  • TLIF3087Follow work health and safety, and environmental procedures in the rail industry
  • TLIW3026Operate stand alone signalling/point control equipment
View the 11 elective options
  • RIIWHS205EControl traffic with stop-slow bat
  • TLIB2131Prepare train
  • TLIB3019Test train braking system
  • TLIB3021Conduct train roll-by inspection
  • TLIC3045Operate road/rail vehicle
  • TLIE0002Process workplace documentation
  • TLIE2007Use communications systems
  • TLIF3085Apply local incident response procedures
  • TLIF3091Apply awareness of dangerous goods and hazardous materials requirements
  • TLIU2012Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
  • TLIW2041Clip points and apply rail safety equipment
training.gov.au national register, TLI23221 release 1
Same training package

What skill sets come from the TLI training package?

Certify Rolling Stock Skill Set
TLISS00143 · skill set guide
Examining Timber Structures Skill Set
TLISS00113 · skill set guide
Operate Signalling/Point Control Equipment Skill Set
TLISS00222 · skill set guide
Rail Operations Safeworking Skill Set
TLISS00230 · skill set guide
Accessing the Rail Corridor Skill Set
TLISS00103 · skill set guide
Coordinate Multiple Work Groups Skill Set
TLISS00108 · skill set guide
Where to study

Where can I study TLI23221?

No Get Course partner currently lists this qualification. Check the national register for organisations approved to deliver it, and remember that approval to deliver is a regulatory fact, not a recommendation. You can browse live courses from our partners and enquire today.

Browse courses
How we calculate these figures

Get Course maps TLI23221 to its occupations using the register’s own outcome wording, shown with ANZSCO codes (here, 7219) so the mapping can be checked. Job advertisement counts come from the Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index and count online ads, not vacancies filled. Enrolment counts come from NCVER Total VET Activity and count people in training, not completions. Funding rows appear only after verification against the official state program list. Source vintages: NCVER Total VET Activity 2025 collection; register training.gov.au, synced 6 September 2026; employment projections May 2025 to May 2035 release; Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index latest month June 2026; Occupation Shortage List 2025 assessment; register synced 18 Sept 2026. Page last updated 19 Sept 2026.

About this page. Every number on this page shows its source and date. Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au. Compiled by Get Course from public data sources. It is not provided or endorsed by any training organisation, and nothing here is advice about your individual situation. Statistics describe groups; your result depends on you. If you represent a training organisation and want to correct or add to this page, contact hello@getcourse.com.au.