RIW Card Check (Rail Industry Worker Card)

An RIW card (Rail Industry Worker card) is the photo ID card used by people who work on or near participating rail networks in Australia. The card shows who the worker is and their RIW number. Their competencies, medicals and other records sit in their online RIW profile, which rail operators check when the worker arrives on a network.

For an employer or labour hire firm, the card is the first gate: no card, or a card in someone else's name, means the worker can't be put forward for the shift. Checking the card early, alongside the rail medical the role needs, avoids finding out at the access point.

How to check a worker's RIW card

1. Ask for the card itself (both sides of a physical card, or the digital card), not just the RIW number.
2. Match the name and photo to the worker's identity documents.
3. Note the RIW number and any expiry shown on the card.
4. Confirm the competencies and medical the role needs in the worker's RIW profile, or ask the network operator, since those are not printed on the card.

With RefChecks the worker uploads their card through a secure link. We confirm the name, photo, RIW number and any expiry shown, and save the result in the worker's report. The check covers the card. It does not log in to the RIW system or confirm the competencies held there. If the role needs a rail medical, you can book a Rail Category 1, 2 or 3 health assessment with our partner clinics in the same order, and add a drug and alcohol test if the operator asks for one.