RFCIS Frequently Asked Questions

​​​​​​​​​Introducing the RFCIS

  1. What is the Rail Freight Container Incentive Scheme (RFCIS)?​

    The RFCIS is an initiative that provides rebates to customers that rail new container freight on the Queensland Rail network. Customers can receive a rebate for eligible freight containers, paid quarterly, based on the actual number of loaded containers railed.

  2. ​What is the RFCIS designed to achieve?

    The RFCIS is designed to make rail an even more cost-effective and efficient option for transporting containerised freight. By providing financial support to help eligible new customers, they will be able to grow their container freight on rail.

    Transporting freight by rail has many supply chain benefits including higher fuel efficiency, lower operating costs, reduced road congestion, improved end-to-end efficiency and a lower emissions footprint.

  3. How long will the RFCIS operate?

    The RFCIS will operate (and be applicable to new container freight railed) from 1 January 2027 until 31 December 2029.​

Eligibility

  1. Who is eligible for the rebate?

    Any end customers including retail, mining, agricultural producers, industrial manufacturers and producers, freight forwarders that can demonstrate to Queensland Rail that they are increasing their movements of containerised freight by rail will be eligible for the rebate.

  2. What qualifies as 'new' freight containers?

    New freight containers are increased freight on rail that are under a new haulage agreement – or increased volume haulage agreement - with an above-rail operator and are railed during the period of the scheme on the Queensland Rail narrow gauge network.

  3. Is all containerised freight eligible?

    All containerised freight, except for empty containers and containers transported on the Queensland Rail standard gauge network between Acacia Ridge and the Port of Brisbane, is eligible for the rebate.

    Eligible containerised freight may include grocery items and beverages, consumer goods, mining/minerals processing inputs, agricultural products and general freight.

    The RFCIS rebate will not be paid in conjunction with any other commercial arrangement with Queensland Rail for discounted freight on rail (excluding the separate 10 per cent subsidy scheme on the Mount Isa Line). Transport of fuel containers is not eligible for the rebate.

  4. ​ Which regions and rail routes are included?

    Rebates will be paid for loaded freight containers on the Queensland Rail network.​

  5. How do I qualify for the rebate?

    1. Provide reasonable evidence (to the satisfaction of Queensland Rail) of the railing of new freight containers on the Queensland Rail network.
    2. Apply to Queensland Rail for pre-qualification as an eligible customer for the rebate.
    3. Rail at least 250 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) per annum of new freight containers.
    4. Rail the new freight container consignments during the RFCIS period.​​
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  6. ​How do I apply for the rebate?

    Contact Queensland Rail at RFCIS@qr.com.au​​ to discuss eligibility and register interest​.​

Rebate Structure

  1. ​​​How much is the rebate?

    The example rebates are available on RFCI​S​ page​ for the most common origin - destination pairs on the Queensland Rail network. The rebates are up to 50 per cent of Queensland Rail's estimate of the rail costs (access charges) of moving a container.

    If you are seeking to move freight from an origin or to a destination not listed, please contact Queensland Rail at RFCIS@qr.com.au for the applicable rebate.

  2. Is the rebate linked to rail access charges or haulage charges?

    The rebate is not directly linked to access charges, it is linked to the number of new freight containers railed on the Queensland Rail network.​

  3. How long does the rebate apply?

    The RFCIS will commence on 1 January 2027 and will operate for three years until 31 December 2029.

    A customer with eligible new container freight can sign up at any time during the three-year period of the RFCIS. The rebate is payable to a customer for two years only – the customer will receive the full container rebate in the first year and half rebate in the second year.

  4. Is the rebate paid upfront or after the new freight containers are railed?

    The rebate will be paid quarterly in arrears following the receipt and assessment of evidence of eligibility from the end customer.​

Governance

  1. Who is administering the RFCIS?

    Queensland Rail is administering the RFCIS and will pay rebates on eligible new freight containers to end customers.

  2. How will customer information remain confidential?

    Information will only be used for assessing the rebate application by Queensland Rail employees directly involved in administering the RFCIS. Information will be aggregated for reporting purposes and not identify individual customers. Information will only be retained where is necessary and will be stored securely under Queensland Rail systems and controls.

  3. Will the RFCIS be extended?

    Queensland Rail will undertake a review of RFCIS two years after commencement to consider if the scheme will be extended beyond 31 December 2029.

    Should the RFCIS be extended, Queensland Rail will post a notification on the RFCIS ​page​.​

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