While railways in some states were briefly operated as private companies, railways of Australia have historically operated as Government instrumentalities.
The earlier form of a single state government railway department in each state no longer exists – with complex relationships developed by state and federal government corporations operating in multiple locations and across borders between states.
They are further divided into 'above' and 'below' rail companies – track owners, and train operators. Some companies are both.
Aurizon - Queensland NG (Intermodal and a variety of Bulk commodities including Coal, Grain, ore, fertiliser and acid), NSW (Hunter Valley, Riverina), Victoria (Bulk - including intermodal), SA/NT (Adelaide-Darwin Intermodal, Melbourne-Perth Intermodal Grain, Ore, Gypsum (Eyre Peninsula Railway Network), WA (variety of Bulk commodities including Iron Ore and Grain)
Pacific National - QLD (Coal, Intermodal, Sugar), NSW (Intermodal, Coal, variety of Bulk commodities including Grain and Ore), Victoria (Intermodal and Grain), SA/WA - intermodal, Journey Beyond hook-and-pull contract
Qube Logistics - QLD (NG Mt Isa Ore, SG Steel), NSW (intermodal, Steel and a variety of bulk commodities including Ore and Grain), Victoria (Intermodal and Steel)
Watco Australia - QLD (Queensland Government-funded cattle trains, grain services, shunting at the Port Kembla steelworks) WA Infrastructure trains and BHP Nickel West contract.
