maintenance person

driver

track worker

tradesman

payroll officer

Aurizon

When I first started with QR it was an exciting place for me ,working in a heavy industry atmosphere and seeing great opportunity . I got on really well with my work colleagues, and formed some great friendships. When the company was sold I was of the opinion more investment  and opportunities would arise , it did look good for quite a while , but restructuring began , followed by closures of some sections . My professional relationship with QR Engineers was great and implementing overhaul programs and safety adjustments was travelling quite smoothly as was the training of my allotted apprentices.I think after a period I became aware that management and client relations were not working out to well and contracts couldn't be agreed. We were all offered redundancy in our section as it would be closing the following year (2015). I applied for and received my redundancy, sold up a moved my family back to the Sunshine Coast. Overall I did love the job and I think that's why it did feel comfortable doing all tasks required of me.

Aurizon as a company was relying on their previous contracts as QR. As these contracts are now over and the executives have milked the coffers for all they can, they are struggling to understand the market and how to achieve success. Restructure after restructure keeps removing staff but not executives. If you gain access to the boys club, you will smoke your cigars and play trains in the CEO's office. If you are from a diverse group, you will generally be looked after. Anyone else is bullied and harassed mostly because executives have no idea what they are doing and have huge egos due their their position in the company accompanied by a lack of skills and qualifications.

All in all this is a terrible company to work for if you are looking for job satisfaction. They are removing all "perks" and pay equal or less than competitors. All they are interested in is saving money so they can report profits to shareholders, increasing executive pay packets, and telling the media they employ women and people from the gay community.

They are all show and no substance.

A typical shift could start at any time of the day as Aurizon coal trains run 24/7,365 days a year.Starting work,your Supervisor informs you of the job you have to do for your shift and you are to get your radio's and folder for paperwork for recording loading details,Connotes and Train handover form.There are also Alerts and Safety notices to read or take with you.
Management i find have been always approachable about work or personal issues.They keep me updated on any workplace changes and training that i may need in my job as a Traindriver.
I have met many characters in my time,some good,some bad but the most important thing i have learnt is not bring outside conflicts into the workplace,work together to get the job done in a safe and timely manner.
The hardest part of the job,is going to work at any time of the day or night but after 35yrs,i'm used to it.
The most enjoyable part,is days off,where i can relax and recharge my batteries but sometimes,i'll work if needed.

My days include long hours and a great deal of supplier and internal stakeholder interaction. 

Co-ordinating changes to contracts, managing supplier relationships, performance and negotiations are big part of each day. 

I am also kept rather busy with coaching and preparing the work loads of the other team members. 

The culture in my immediate team is very positive, although is often challenged due to the immense pressure from the business to deliver steep outcomes in an under resourced environment. 

I work an 11 hour day every day at a minimum because I love what I do and want to drive positive outcomes that reflect well on me. However, I am not forced or pressured to stay beyond my contracted hours.

Too much middle management, that have no idea about their jobs or the roles of the employees underneath them. 
Work/life balance is non existent. Your shift changes constantly and you never know what or when you’re working until the last minute.
There is a real divide between management & employees. 
Aurizon top management hit the workers with a big stick & use bullying tactics. If you are a ceo or a member of the board, then you’ll probably be happy at Aurizon. The actual workers, who are out there during the night, wknd, public holiday & making things happen, are treated with such disdain. 
DO NOT WORK HERE!

What is the best part of working at the company?
Middle management seemed to care for employees, operations manager is one of the best managers worked under in 31 years in rail as a driver, upper management are the main downside, all in all pretty happy with my time with them.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Upper management let's company down.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Generally good culture with exception to attitudes of certain trainees.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Pretty stress free, being able to work with the latest technology, having the best locomotives available to the industry.

As a Change Manager, lead people through major change programs. So rewarding when the client begins to feel confident about the transition. I learned more (about everything) in 4yrs at Accenture than learned in previous 15. Management are amazing. Strong, intelligent, know the big and detailed picture. Co-workers likewise. An honour to work with such brilliant people. The hours were long and the expectation extremely high. Lead to poor work/life balance. Achieving the unachievable - on a daily basis - was exhilarating, and tiring.

The money is great. Guaranteed 80 hr fortnight. That's about the only good thing about the job. I got about $10000 discount on my new Mitsubishi. 

In 2015 they will still not let you submit a request not to work with an employee who has sexually harassed you.

Very poor fatigue management, well over 120+ faid score every week. No idea how to roster staff. Will go from day shift to night shift, afternoon shift, away shift incoming at 8am, expected to sleep all day then doubled up onto a shift at 8pm after 12 hours off.

The only good thing is the other drivers and the money.

I facilitate the movement of locomotives to allow the most efficient utilisation of resources. This ensures equipment is serviced and repaired on a day to day basis. I also liaise with my client, managing a portfolio of trains that run from Hamilton to Bunbury Harbour.
Everyone is very friendly and say hi when you pass. Management are approachable and are very supportive. When asked what the best part of my day is, my response is that I get to play with trains all day.

Aurizon was a wonderful company to work for and I'd happily work there again the workplace culture Aurizon provides is phenomenal, management is wonderful a typical day at work consisted of working on wagons in the workshop carrying out services repairs and air tests etc, out in the yard was re and otr's changing wheels brake blocks and air tests. The hardest part of the job would have to be doing an otr in the rain and the most enjoyable part would be going to work everyday seeing your workmates you have made that you class as family and everybody works as a team.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Maintenance person 12 salaries reported	$69,000 per year
Driver 1 salary reported	$120,000 per year
Track worker 1 salary reported	$70,000 per year
Tradesman 6 salaries reported	$49.90 per hour
Payroll officer 6 salaries reported	$83,821 per year

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