Govt to study sale of rail network

The federal government will undertake a scoping study ahead of the possible sale of the Australian Rail Track Corporation.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the recommendations from the study would be considered in the 2016/17 budget.

The ARTC manages more than 8500km of interstate track across South Australia, Victoria, WA, Queensland and NSW as well as the Hunter Valley coal rail network, from which it derives 55 per cent of its revenue.

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said Labor would weigh up the sale price of the ARTC compared with its economic benefit.

"We'll make a final analysis based on whether it's a good deal for the Australian taxpayer," Mr Bowen said.

"When it comes to these decisions there are two threshold questions - is it a function which can only be conducted by the government and is it a good deal for the taxpayer?"