V/Line
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    V/Line
    (49 reviews)
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    Company Reviews

    Working at V/Line

    2.749 ratings in total
    5
    14
    4
    3
    3
    7
    2
    4
    1
    21
    78%
    Rate salary as high or average
    41%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends
    Work/Life balance
    3.0(49 ratings)
    Career development
    2.6(49 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    2.8(49 ratings)
    Management
    2.3(49 ratings)
    Working environment
    2.6(49 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    3.1(48 ratings)
    Ratings for V/Line are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

    Showing 49 reviews sorted by most recent
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    1.0
    Safety Team Member
    Apr 2026
    Melbourne VIC 30002 to 3 years in the role, current employee
    Deeply Flawed Leadership and Culture
    The good thingsThe flexibility is great for head office based staff.
    The challengesWhile there are some dedicated individuals and the organisation offers stable employment, the broader workplace experience is undermined by poor leadership and a problematic culture. Management capability is a major concern. Many leaders appear untrained and ineffective, often defaulting to hiding behind HR and rigid processes rather than demonstrating accountability or genuine leadership. Issues are managed procedurally rather than constructively, which erodes trust and respect. The culture itself can be quite toxic. It is not uncommon to see employees visibly distressed — seeing someone in tears in the office has become a regular occurrence. This points to a clear lack of psychological safety and meaningful support from management. There is also a noticeable “boys’ club” dynamic. Advancement does not appear to be based on merit, but rather tenure and internal favouritism. This creates a disengaging environment for high performers and discourages diversity in leadership.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Signal Maintenance Technician
    Mar 2026
    Melbourne VIC 3000Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Great support and training
    The good thingsThe support and transition from a similar role. The training available to get up to speed with the new position.
    The challengesDepending on the role could involve shift work and night shifts.
    5.0
    Customer sercc officer
    Mar 2026
    Melbourne VIC 3000Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Amazing work place with lots of support
    The good thingsAmazing, friendly environment
    The challengesMany approval processes, can take a while
    5.0
    Talent Acquisition Business Partner
    Mar 2026
    Melbourne VIC 30001 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Great people & great benefits
    The good thingsI enjoy the flexibility, the teams I get to support & the front line staff. Free Myki is a huge cost saver.
    The challengesClearer outlined progression steps to ‘senior’ titles
    2 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Head of Department
    Mar 2026
    Melbourne VIC 30001 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Do great work, feel part of something bigger - and still have balance.
    The good thingsV/Line is a great place where you can still do amazing work, feel close to community with values and mission - but have work-life balance that is unmatched anywhere else.
    The challengesSometimes decisions can feel a little slow - but that's only because we need ministerial approvals for projects.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Manager
    Feb 2026
    Melbourne VIC 30001 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Working at V/Line means learning every day with passionate people.
    The good thingsV/Line is undergoing significant change, with many new and exciting innovations emerging across different areas of the business.
    The challengesIn a large organisation, it can be hard to keep across everything that’s happening.
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Business Partner
    Jan 2026
    Melbourne VIC 3000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    If you have nostalgia for the 1970's, V/Line is the place for you!
    The good thingsNothing in particular.
    The challengesSystems and processes.
    1.0
    Portfolio Reporting Analyst
    Nov 2025
    Docklands VIC 3008Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Some great people, but HR enable the mistreatment of staff.
    The good thingsThere were some genuinely amazing people who really looked out for you. It was probably the most female-friendly project management team I’ve ever worked with.
    The challengesHR was genuinely alarming. I witnessed inappropriate conduct, experienced inappropriate conduct myself, and raised concerns multiple times. Instead of managing the situation, HR forwarded my complaints directly to the individual involved. They then arranged a “mediation” where the person behaving inappropriately was allowed to lead the meeting. The outcome was an attempt to place me on a performance management plan. I resigned immediately. A short time later, the individual at the centre of these issues also left the organisation very suddenly without explanation.
    2 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Procurment
    Sep 2025
    Melbourne VIC 3000Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Policy compliance lags significantly, with reactive leadership and limited guidance.
    The good thingsFree myki and slightly above average salary if you're on the EA.
    The challengesProcurement roles here are very challenging. Management recruitment often feels misaligned, which impacts decision-making quality. The business is consistently 5–6 years behind on policy compliance, with limited work instructions beyond basic VGPB requirements. Employees are often left to independently interpret and implement policies, only to find months later — when tasks or projects are nearly complete and awaiting final approval — that their work is overridden, requiring them to start again from scratch. Senior management tends not to proactively engage with policy changes and only react when problems occur, often shifting accountability instead of addressing core causes. Coordination and planning across the company are weak, with directions frequently ambiguous and major shifts in focus every six months.
    7 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Procurement Role Senior
    Jun 2025
    Melbourne VIC 3000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    My experience can be summed up as working in an environment where people disappeared without explanation and leadership lacked even the most basic management skills, resulting in confusion, mistrust, and a breakdown of organizational trust, avoid!
    The good thingsThis company is poorly run by inexperienced managers who lack basic leadership and communication skills. The work environment is chaotic, and support is minimal. Honestly, the best part of my experience was leaving. Avoid if you can!
    The challengesThe procurement leadership lacks clear direction, professionalism, and the necessary experience and qualifications. The executive team often changes priorities without effective communication, causing widespread confusion and frustration across the organization (look at the revolving door of staff).
    8 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Interface Manager
    Jun 2025
    Melbourne VIC 300011 to 12 years in the role, current employee
    Very enjoyable workplace, adding value to Victoria and supporting regional communities.
    The good thingsA positive work environment with great team members and managers who support. A good work-life balance and flexibility to support parents. Very much people focused and active in learning and development opportunities. Great culture
    The challengesSalary not comparable compared with industry although no expectation of overtime.
    2 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Finance
    May 2025
    Melbourne VIC 30005 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    Great workplace for job security and stability. Five years on and still loving it
    The good thingsProfessional work environment with great colleagues
    The challengesWorkload - Working on the weekends, manual processes but overall a great workplace to work for. They are great on flexibility and family life balance in corporate. Lovely CFO and management
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Train Driver
    Apr 2025
    Geelong VIC 322011 to 12 years in the role, former employee
    avoid this place if you have kids and a partner
    The good thingsproviding train services to the victorian public
    The challengeslow pay compared to industry, long hours and poor managers. organisational structure is constantly changing
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Engineering Design Reviewer
    Apr 2025
    Melbourne VIC 30001 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Unpleasant experience, contractors getting paid double in comparison to a direct employee for the same role.
    The good thingsFriendly culture, free public transport.
    The challengesToxic workculture with micro-managers. Long hours. No work/life balance. Rural work. No paid overtime.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Projects
    Apr 2025
    Melbourne VIC 30002 to 3 years in the role, current employee
    A rewarding place to work with great people, providing an essential service to Victorians
    The good thingsWork-life balance, supportive leadership, pay, flexible working, great people
    The challengessome out of date processes and systems need updating
    3 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Project Services
    Apr 2025
    Melbourne VIC 30002 to 3 years in the role, current employee
    Enjoying my time working at V/Line and intend to continue
    The good thingsCollaborative and improvement focused culture, great people
    The challengesSome processes are confusing and in efficient. Can be difficult to work out who is responsible for what activities
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Project Engineer
    Feb 2025
    Melbourne VIC 30003 to 4 years in the role, current employee
    V/Line has hired managers who are not qualified. There is a toxic work culture. It is evident that after 2-3 years the employee moves on, hence the high staff turnover rate. There is a huge difference of treatment between a contractor and an employee.
    The good thingsSome staff are generally friendly and welcoming however most are toxic as there are favourites within the team.
    The challengesManagers who are toxic and micromanage constantly even if they're contractors. No overtime paid as it is seen as "reasonable". No work life balance. Sometimes you are away from home for many nights. Lower pay compared to other companies in the industry.
    3 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Procurement Role
    Dec 2024
    Melbourne VIC 3000
    Worst working environment I've ever experienced.
    The good thingsPeople are friendly, would not recommend.
    The challengesLeadership inexperienced and created a toxic workplace.
    8 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Operator
    Nov 2024
    Geelong VIC 32207 to 8 years in the role, former employee
    The pay may be OK but ultimately you'll pay a 'tax' with your health.. moving on after 7 yrs was like a weight had been lifted
    The good thingsHave met some genuine people... non of which are in management
    The challengesLocal Maintenance depot supervisors are beyond biased... if you don't suck up you'll quickly find yourself on the outside. Supervisor regularly said "we'll keep it in house" when he was alerted to serious ONSR safety breaches committed by his pet staff. Geelong depot has had over 15 people quit/move in 3 years
    13 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Advisor
    Nov 2024
    Melbourne VIC 3000
    One of the most toxic workplaces I have experienced.
    The good thingsSome good people joined but unfortunately left.
    The challengesPeople are too scared to speak up about what goes on at the Senior and Executive levels.
    5 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Conductor
    Sep 2024
    Geelong VIC 3220
    Don't work here especially if you have a partner and family.
    The good thingsColleagues and staff
    The challengesTerrible work life balance, Awful hours, work up to 10 days straight. The pay is average. Can't take annual leave when you want. Complete dictatorship.
    15 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Conductor
    May 2024
    Geelong VIC 32205 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    People do the job because the pay is high. There's double standards and blame games galore and a toxic culture that will have you wondering if money is important. Complaints get "investigated" but nothing ever happens.
    The good thingsMost of the staff are nice They do give you opportunities to learn new things if you request. The pay is very good for what you do.
    The challengesIt's all a blame game if something goes wrong Complaints are not taken seriously Horrible work/life balance
    18 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Labourer
    Apr 2024
    Melbourne VIC 3000
    Dont recommend working here, very toxic and unfriendly environment
    The good thingsThe pay, not much else
    The challengesthe challenges were working with the people there,
    7 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Conductor
    Jan 2024
    Melbourne VIC 3000current employee
    I've never felt to undervalued in all of my work life as I do at V/Line
    The good thingsA fortnightly pay is about the only good thing here
    The challengesMicromanagement, annual leave is rostered in a 4 week block with no opportunity to request specific dates, front line staff do not have a voice, awful rostering practices, increased patronage with no increase to rolling stock, working with the public, working with people who do not align with company values and whilst management are aware, they do not address it..just to name a few of the challenges!
    27 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Projects
    Jun 2023
    Melbourne VIC 30007 to 8 years in the role, former employee
    DO NOT WORK THERE!
    The good thingsPeople are nice in general.
    The challengesNo leadership and constant change in org structure. Contractors have no voice and treated poorly. No KPIs and the management and HR are quick to be "woke" and the professionalism is terrible.
    18 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Supply Market Senior Analyst
    May 2023
    Melbourne VIC 3000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    One of the Best
    The good thingsExcellent Management, working conditions, colleagues and culture
    The challengesNot a friendly ERP system
    1.0
    Cost Controller
    Nov 2022
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    I worked with them as a cost controller, and so far the worst company I have ever worked with.
    The good thingsThe only good thing I would say is you get a free Myki.
    The challengesThe company is challenging and chaotic, and no one knows what they are doing. If you are new you are on your own.
    14 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Structural Engineer
    Oct 2022
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Highly recommend for all career level.
    The good thingsGreat experience and opportunities for long term career.
    The challengesUnique structures and wide network.
    1.0
    Team lead
    Jul 2021
    Terrible
    The good thingsNot much to be honest
    The challengesOut of touch leadership team
    9 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Locomotive Driver
    May 2021
    7 to 8 years in the role, current employee
    Good for stability and that's about it. Micro managing professional people.
    The good thingsStability. You know they won't go broke. You get your roster a long way into the future.
    The challengesBecoming micro managed. Managers have little to no understanding about operational roles. You're often spoken down to. No flexibility in rosters. They're employing to fill quotas rather than by merit, making existing employees feel devalued.
    20 people found this helpful
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