Diploma in Testing of Defence Electronic Systems
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in testing of defence electronic systems. 8 modules covering electronic test engineering, automatic test equipment, RF and microwave testing, electromagnetic compatibility, environmental testing, reliability and screening, and software, cybersecurity and integration, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Testing of Defence Electronic Systems — studying from Australia
Defence is one of Australia's largest engineering employers, with major programmes in land systems, naval platforms, aircraft and integrated systems managed through the Department of Defence. Land systems engineering supports armoured vehicles, weapons and logistics equipment, often through prime contractors and local industry partners. Industry involvement is strongly encouraged through the Defence industry policy framework. Engineers work on sustainment, capability development, systems integration and safety assurance, typically in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne and regional defence precincts.
Fees for Australia: A$1,740 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
How does defence engineering recognition work in Australia?
Defence engineering in Australia is largely run through the Department of Defence and its industry partners, which set their own security clearance and qualification requirements. Engineers Australia is the professional body for accreditation. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by these bodies, so recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide.
Which Australian employers hire in defence and land systems?
Australia has defence prime contractors, the Department of Defence, and specialist land systems firms. Many of these roles require Australian security clearances, which depend on citizenship and background checks rather than course completion. Ask employers how they weigh private qualifications against experience and clearance requirements.
Is the course manageable with a job, and does it need a visa?
The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa. Specialist courses take 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's 1,900. An assigned technical tutor supports you, fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible.
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
Define verification strategies by level.
Develop automated test sequences.
Perform RF measurements with controlled uncertainty.
Plan electromagnetic compatibility tests.
Specify environmental tests tailored to the life-cycle profile.
Analyse failures and improve reliability.
Prepare complete test plans for electronic equipment.
Who it's for
- Electronic test engineers working on defence and aerospace equipment.
- Electromagnetic compatibility engineers who plan and run EMC campaigns.
- Environmental test technicians in qualification laboratories.
- Reliability engineers seeking a stronger grounding in screening and failure analysis.
- Test bench developers building automated test systems.
- Product quality managers responsible for qualification and acceptance.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- MIL-STD-810H (environmental engineering and laboratory tests)
- MIL-STD-461G (control of electromagnetic interference characteristics)
- MIL-STD-883 (test methods for microcircuits)
- IEEE 1149.1 (boundary scan / JTAG)
- MIL-STD-1553B (digital time-division data bus)
- AQAP-2110 (NATO quality assurance requirements)
- MIL-STD-464C (electromagnetic environmental effects for systems)
- NI TestStand
- LabVIEW
- Keysight PathWave
- Python with PyVISA
- ReliaSoft XFMEA
8 modules
1.1System life cycle and verification1.2Test strategies by level1.3Requirements traceability matrix1.4Design testing versus production testing1.5Design for testability1.6Fault coverage and fault models1.7Documentation of test procedures1.8Management of non-conformities1.9Quality assurance in defence1.10Practical exercise: verification matrix for a unit
2.1Architecture of an ATE2.2PXI and LXI instrumentation2.3Switching matrices and fixtures2.4Test sequence languages2.5IVI controllers and drivers2.6Instrument calibration2.7Obsolescence of legacy ATE2.8Board testing with boundary scan2.9In-circuit testing and flying probes2.10Laboratory: test sequence with TestStand
3.1Vector network analysers3.2S-parameters and calibration3.3Power and phase noise measurement3.4Spectrum and signal analysers3.5Receiver and sensitivity testing3.6Antenna measurement in an anechoic chamber3.7Closed-loop radar testing3.8Arbitrary signal generation3.9Uncertainty in RF measurements3.10Practical exercise: characterisation of an amplifier
4.1Conducted and radiated emissions4.2Conducted and radiated susceptibility4.3Semi-anechoic and reverberation chambers4.4Transients and electrostatic discharge4.5Electromagnetic environmental effects4.6Lightning and indirect effects4.7Shielding, filtering and grounding4.8EMC control plan4.9EMC test report4.10Case study: analysis of an emissions failure
5.1Environmental life-cycle profile of the equipment5.2Random and sinusoidal vibration5.3Mechanical shock and drop5.4Temperature and thermal cycling5.5Humidity, salt fog and fungus5.6Altitude and decompression5.7Sand, dust and rain5.8Combined testing5.9Tailoring tests to real use5.10Workshop: environmental test plan
6.1Reliability prediction6.2Environmental stress screening (ESS)6.3HALT and HASS testing6.4Accelerated life testing6.5Failure mode analysis (FMECA)6.6Physical failure analysis6.7Counterfeit components and detection6.8Reliability growth6.9Failure data management (FRACAS)6.10Case study: failure analysis of a circuit board
7.1Embedded software testing7.2Hardware-in-the-loop7.3MIL-STD-1553 and CAN bus testing7.4Subsystem integration7.5Cybersecurity testing of the equipment7.6Automated regression testing7.7Configuration management of test benches7.8Factory acceptance testing (FAT)7.9Site acceptance testing (SAT)7.10Laboratory: HIL bench for a control unit
8.1Description of the unit under test8.2Requirements and acceptance criteria8.3Test bench architecture8.4Test procedures8.5EMC and environmental test plan8.6Reliability analysis8.7Budget and schedule8.8Plan risks8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your 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, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is NI TestStand, LabVIEW, Keysight PathWave, Python with PyVISA and ReliaSoft XFMEA, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for EMC testing in a semi-anechoic chamber, random vibration and thermal cycling, and hardware-in-the-loop testing. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: MIL-STD-810H, MIL-STD-461G, MIL-STD-883, IEEE 1149.1, MIL-STD-1553B, AQAP-2110 and MIL-STD-464C.
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's 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 NI TestStand, LabVIEW, Keysight PathWave, Python with PyVISA and ReliaSoft XFMEA, 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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