Master’s in Machinery Functional Safety Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in machinery functional safety engineering, structured in 12 modules covering the functional safety framework, risk assessment, safety function specification, architectures and categories, reliability quantification, protective devices, drive safety, safety software, validation and collaborative robots, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Machinery Functional Safety Engineering — studying from Australia
Robotics and automation are important to Australian industries, especially mining, agriculture, logistics and manufacturing. Autonomous haulage, robotic harvesting and warehouse automation illustrate the breadth of applications. Research bodies such as CSIRO and universities maintain strong robotics programmes, supporting industry collaboration. Engineers work on control systems, sensing, motion planning and industrial integration. Employers include mining technology companies, agricultural technology firms, automation integrators and research organisations.
Fees for Australia: A$11,000 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Will this qualification be recognised by Engineers Australia for robotics and control roles?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by Engineers Australia or any national body. Engineers Australia assesses engineering competence through its own processes, and recognition of SEIUM training is decided by employers or the body you apply to. Confirm their requirements before enrolling if professional membership matters to you.
Which Australian employers hire people with robotics and automation skills?
Mining, manufacturing, logistics, agricultural technology, and defence companies across Australia employ automation and control engineers. Whether they value a private qualification depends on each employer's policy. Your project work, programming and practical skills are usually central to hiring decisions.
Can I study this part time while working in Australia, and are there payment options?
Yes, the programmes are 100% online, taught in English, and include an assigned technical tutor, so you can study from anywhere in Australia around work hours. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Confirm the programme length, which ranges from 300 to 1,900 hours, and plan accordingly.
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
Apply the functional safety life cycle to machinery.
Determine the required PLr and SIL.
Specify complete safety functions.
Select suitable architectures and categories.
Calculate the reliability of safety functions.
Program and validate safety software.
Validate functions in accordance with ISO 13849-2.
Who it's for
- Functional safety engineers working on machinery projects.
- Machinery safety specialists responsible for safeguarding and risk reduction.
- Safety PLC programmers developing certified safety logic.
- Safety system validators planning and executing fault injection tests.
- CE compliance technicians handling machinery conformity.
- Industrial safety consultants advising manufacturers and integrators.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter machinery manufacturing.
What you'll work with
- ISO 13849-1:2023 (safety-related parts of control systems — design)
- ISO 13849-2:2012 (safety-related parts of control systems — validation)
- IEC 62061:2021 (functional safety of safety-related control systems)
- ISO 12100:2010 (general principles for design, risk assessment and risk reduction)
- IEC 61508-1:2010 (functional safety of E/E/PE systems — general requirements)
- IEC 61800-5-2:2016 (functional safety of adjustable speed drives)
- ISO 14119:2013 (interlocking devices associated with guards)
- ISO 13855:2024 (positioning of safeguards with respect to approach speeds)
- SISTEMA (IFA)
- Pilz PAScal
- Siemens Safety Evaluation
- TwinSAFE
- Safexpert
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Concepts of risk and functional safety1.2IEC 61508 as the basic standard1.3Derived sector standards1.4ISO 13849-1 versus IEC 620611.5The safety life cycle1.6Functional safety management1.7Staff competence1.8The Machinery Directive and Regulation1.9Applicable harmonised standards1.10Case study: selecting the applicable standard
2.1The ISO 12100 process2.2Limits and intended use2.3Systematic hazard identification2.4Risk graph for PLr2.5SIL assignment in IEC 620612.6Inherently safe design measures2.7Complementary protective measures2.8Documenting the assessment2.9Review after modifications2.10Practical exercise: determining the PLr of functions
3.1Types of safety function3.2Requirements of the SRS specification3.3Response times3.4Behaviour on faults3.5Reset functions3.6Operating modes3.7Muting of functions3.8Stop categories 0, 1 and 23.9Validation of the specification3.10Workshop: function specification for a cell
4.1Categories B, 1, 2, 3 and 44.2ISO 13849 designated architectures4.3Redundancy and diversity4.4Diagnostics and testing4.5Common cause failures4.6Fault exclusion4.7Subsystems in IEC 620614.8Basic subsystem architectures4.9Combining subsystems4.10Practical exercise: selecting an architecture for a guard door
5.1MTTFD and B10D5.2Calculating nop for components5.3Diagnostic coverage (DC)5.4CCF scoring5.5PFHD and its calculation5.6Manufacturer data5.7Data libraries for SISTEMA5.8Series combination5.9Limitations of the calculation5.10Lab: PFHD calculation with SISTEMA
6.1Interlocking devices ISO 141196.2Defeating of interlocks6.3ESPE equipment IEC 614966.4Distances according to ISO 138556.5Emergency stops ISO 138506.6Pressure-sensitive devices6.7Safety relays and modules6.8Safety controllers6.9Selection according to PL6.10Case study: designing perimeter guarding
7.1IEC 61800-5-2 functions7.2Safe Torque Off7.3Safe Stop 1 and 27.4Safely limited speed7.5Safe position and safe cams7.6Safety brakes7.7Safety encoders7.8Integration with safety PLCs7.9Validation of drives7.10Practical exercise: configuring SLS on a drive
8.1Software requirements in ISO 138498.2Limited variability languages8.3Certified function block libraries8.4Structure of the safety program8.5Software testing8.6Version management8.7Protection against modification8.8Programming tools8.9Software documentation8.10Lab: safety program with certified blocks
9.1ISO 13849-2 validation plan9.2FMEA failure analysis9.3Fault injection testing9.4Verification of stopping times9.5Measurement with stop-time equipment9.6Validation of reset functions9.7Validation report9.8Independent design review9.9Evidence records9.10Practical exercise: validation plan for a function
10.1ISO 10218 and robot safety10.2Robot safety functions10.3Speed and separation monitoring10.4Power and force limiting10.5ISO/TS 15066 and biomechanical values10.6Validation of collaborative cells10.7AMRs and driverless vehicles10.8Safety in mobile systems10.9Systems integration10.10Case study: validating a collaborative cell
11.1Periodic proof testing of functions11.2Modification management11.3Bypass and special modes11.4Staff training11.5Incident logging11.6Accident analysis11.7Safety audits11.8Tracking regulatory updates11.9Obsolescence management11.10Workshop: periodic test procedure
12.1Description of the machine12.2Risk assessment12.3Function specification12.4Architecture design12.5PL or SIL calculation12.6Validation plan12.7Safety technical documentation12.8Conclusions and final recommendations12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online 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 the intake, so it is compatible with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SISTEMA (IFA), Pilz PAScal, Siemens Safety Evaluation, TwinSAFE and Safexpert, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures for PL calculation of safety functions, function validation with fault injection and perimeter guarding design. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 13849-1:2023, ISO 13849-2:2012, IEC 62061:2021, ISO 12100:2010, IEC 61508-1:2010, IEC 61800-5-2:2016, ISO 14119:2013, ISO 13855:2024.
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with SISTEMA (IFA), Pilz PAScal, Siemens Safety Evaluation, TwinSAFE and Safexpert, 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 Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme 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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