Diploma in Advanced Cutting and Decontamination Techniques
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in advanced cutting and decontamination techniques. 8 modules covering decontamination in decommissioning, chemical, mechanical and physical decontamination, thermal and mechanical cutting, segmentation of reactor components and ALARA safety and waste management, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Advanced Cutting and Decontamination Techniques — studying from Australia
Australia does not operate nuclear power plants, but nuclear science and technology play important roles in research, medicine, mining and regulation. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation operates research reactors and produces radiopharmaceuticals, while uranium mining is conducted in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. Nuclear engineering skills support regulatory oversight, radiation safety and decommissioning activities. Employers include ANSTO, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, mining companies and specialist consultancies.
Fees for Australia: A$2,380 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Does this programme meet Australian nuclear licensing or regulatory requirements?
No. SEIUM qualifications are private and are not accredited by any national body. Nuclear activities in Australia are regulated by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency and related authorities, which set their own competency requirements. Check directly with the regulator and your employer about any qualifications needed for a specific role.
Which Australian organisations might consider this training for nuclear-related roles?
Australian employers in this area include research organisations, radiation protection services, mining and resources companies, and consultancies working on nuclear-related projects. Hiring depends on each organisation's requirements and on security and licensing needs. A private qualification is unlikely to be sufficient alone, so combine it with relevant experience.
Is the programme workable alongside a job, and how is it funded?
The programmes are delivered entirely online in English with an assigned technical tutor, allowing study from Australia around work commitments. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Review the programme length, from 300 to 1,900 hours, and plan carefully.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the objectives of decontamination.
Apply chemical decontamination techniques.
Apply mechanical and physical decontamination techniques.
Select thermal cutting techniques.
Select mechanical cutting techniques.
Plan the segmentation of reactor components.
Apply the ALARA principle and manage secondary waste.
Who it's for
- Decontamination technicians working on nuclear decommissioning projects.
- Cutting technique specialists dealing with activated and contaminated components.
- Decommissioning supervisors responsible for dismantling work packages.
- Radiation protection technicians supporting cutting and decontamination operations.
- Nuclear robotics engineers developing remote handling solutions.
- ALARA planners optimising worker doses.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter nuclear decommissioning.
What you'll work with
- IAEA GSR Part 6 (safety requirements for decommissioning of facilities)
- IAEA Technical Reports Series No. 401 (decontamination and demolition techniques)
- Directive 2013/59/Euratom (EU basic safety standards for radiation protection)
- OECD/NEA R&D and Innovation Needs for Decommissioning (technology needs in decommissioning)
- Royal Decree 1029/2022 (Spanish regulation on health protection against ionising radiation)
- ISO 7503-1 (measurement of radioactivity, surface contamination)
- EN 1822 (high-efficiency air filters, HEPA/ULPA)
- VRdose
- MicroShield
- Autodesk Navisworks
- Oracle Primavera P6
8 modules
1.1Objectives of decontamination1.2Types of contamination1.3Fixed and removable contamination1.4Decontamination factor1.5Full system decontamination1.6Surface decontamination1.7Component decontamination1.8Criteria for selecting techniques1.9Generation of secondary waste1.10Case study: decontamination strategy for a primary circuit
2.1Chemical decontamination processes2.2CORD and HP/CORD processes2.3LOMI decontamination process2.4Full system chemical decontamination2.5Decontamination gels and foams2.6Treatment of chemical effluents2.7Material compatibility2.8Process effectiveness and control2.9International experience in chemical decontamination2.10Practical: balance of a chemical process
3.1Abrasive blasting in booths3.2Dry ice blasting3.3High-pressure water3.4Concrete scabbling3.5Laser ablation of surfaces3.6Electrochemical decontamination of metals3.7Ultrasonic cleaning3.8Selection of mechanical techniques3.9Radiation protection during decontamination3.10Lab: comparison of surface techniques
4.1Plasma cutting4.2Oxy-fuel cutting of thick sections4.3Laser cutting4.4Arc cutting4.5Underwater cutting4.6Aerosol generation4.7Fume control and filtration4.8Applications on large components4.9Selection of thermal techniques4.10Practical: aerosol analysis in plasma cutting
5.1Diamond wire cutting5.2Band saws5.3Circular disc saws5.4Abrasive water jet cutting5.5Cold cutting of pipework5.6Hydraulic pipe shears5.7Concrete cutting5.8Productivity and costs5.9Comparison of techniques5.10Lab: planning a diamond wire cut
6.1Segmentation of reactor internals6.2Segmentation of the reactor pressure vessel6.3Segmentation of the biological shield6.4Underwater work6.5Remote tool handling6.6Robotics in decommissioning6.7Management of segmentation waste6.8Segmentation planning6.9International segmentation experience6.10Case study: segmentation of the Zorita reactor vessel
7.1Radiation protection of workers7.2ALARA work planning7.3Contamination control7.4Ventilation and filtration7.5Industrial safety in cutting7.6Management of secondary waste7.7Waste minimisation7.8Dose simulation7.9Recording lessons learned7.10Workshop: ALARA plan for a cutting operation
8.1Component selection8.2Radiological characterisation of the component8.3Selection of techniques8.4Work planning8.5ALARA analysis of the work8.6Waste management8.7Study conclusions8.8Technical recommendations8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is VRdose, MicroShield, Autodesk Navisworks and Oracle Primavera P6, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Cases are studied on real procedures: decontamination factor tests, aerosol analysis during cutting and dose simulation of work. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: IAEA GSR Part 6, IAEA Technical Reports Series No. 401, Directive 2013/59/Euratom, OECD/NEA R&D and Innovation Needs for Decommissioning, Royal Decree 1029/2022, ISO 7503-1, EN 1822.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with VRdose, MicroShield, Autodesk Navisworks and Oracle Primavera P6, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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