Graduate Diploma in Transport Safety Investigation
Quick facts
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
-
Duration
Full-time 1 year, Part-time 2 years -
Location
Melbourne City, Online -
Fees
AU$35,520 (2022 annual)
Next intake
JulyEntry score
Not applicable
Duration
Full-time 1 yearLocation
Melbourne CityFees
AU$35,520 (2022 total)
Next intake
February, July
Overview
Safety is a common denominator across transport sectors to ensure lives are protected and damage to property is minimised. Even so, incidents or accidents are inevitable, and as such, must be thoroughly investigated to determine why things went wrong and to put remedial actions in place. These investigations require experienced professionals with a good balance of both technical and managerial skills. The Graduate Diploma in Transport Safety Investigation is designed to address this need.
This qualification enables professionals working in transport safety-related roles across the transport sector to build the skills required to plan, manage and participate in the accident investigation process of air, rail and marine vehicles and associated systems.
A specialised postgraduate qualification in transport safety investigations will help develop knowledge about accident investigation principles, and will equip you with the skills and competencies relevant to a broad range of professionals across the transport sector, including operators, regulators and infrastructure managers.
Details
In the first part of this graduate diploma, you will build the fundamental knowledge required to conduct or manage a transport accident investigation, including:
- underpinning regulations and procedures set forth by key stakeholders
- human factors principles
- Work, Health and Safety (WHS) considerations at the crash site
- evidence collection (including cognitive interviewing)
- evidence examination, and
- the analysis and elaboration of a final report.
Further into your study, you will have the opportunity to learn additional skills which will allow you to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the investigation process and its contribution to the management of safety in rail, marine and air transport systems.
Topics include:
- the use of specialised engineering techniques for the forensic examination of the various forms of evidence (including structures, propulsion systems and data recording systems)
- survivability and crashworthiness
- investigation of accidents in complex settings, and
- safety management systems.
You will have the opportunity to explore a range of topics that are key to the role of an accident investigator, enabling you to participate in the main phases of an incident or accident investigation process.
A number of teaching and learning approaches are used to develop your capabilities, including lectures, guest lectures by practitioners, class presentations, group discussion, student-led discussion and self-learning activities supported by an online learning management platform. This style of learning is designed to maximise your understanding of the curriculum content and skills, providing an environment where you can ask questions and seek feedback as well as contribute to class discussion with your peers.
Classes will be offered in intensive mode over weekends or in week-long blocks.
You are expected to be responsible for the completion of all out of class learning activities which may require extra reading of both library and online materials.
Some learning activities are structured from a problem-based learning perspective, where you may be in a small group or team, or work individually to apply knowledge to solve problems and examine case studies. This technique is designed to simulate the experiences you will encounter working as an accident investigator in a simulated environment.
Some subjects will include the use of a virtual reality model which will enable you to immerse yourself in a digital environment mimicking a crash site. You may also use laboratory equipment and/or practical demonstrations to complement theoretical concepts to be covered throughout the curriculum, and to provide you a hands-on experience of some resources and tools which you will need to use as an accident investigator.
Assessment is ongoing throughout the teaching period and may include class tests, essays, reports, oral presentations, group projects, research projects, practical assignments or final exams.
The Graduate Diploma in Transport Safety Investigation has been developed in close collaboration with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) to address a gap concerning the training of highly specialised accident investigation professionals in the aviation, rail and marine sectors. The ATSB also makes available subject matter experts, and provides access to other resources during the delivery of the diploma to contribute to its continuous improvement.
The School of Engineering is formally linked to industry through its Industry Advisory Committee (IAC). The ATSB has a representation in the Industry Advisory Committee and maintains regular research and teaching collaborations with RMIT.
Members of the IAC provide valuable input and are a major driver for change in the school's qualifications, particularly with regard to industry trends and future graduate capabilities.
Many of the staff teaching within this qualification are from local industry or have extensive previous industry experiences and well-developed contact networks, and many are currently engaged in industry funded research projects. These attributes, when integrated into teaching and courseware development, ensure that your learning experience is industry-relevant and work-integrated.
The face-to-face lectures in each subject in this qualification are scheduled in weeklong blocks, typically with a duration of 30 hours.
You are also expected to complete a range of self-learning activities available on a dedicated online learning management platform, incluidng pre-reading material (1 week prior to the intensive in each subject) and studying material and assessment tasks upon copmpletion of the intensive module (around 2-3 weeks).
To successfully complete this graduate diploma, you will be required to undertake seven core subjects that span investigation fundamentals and analysis, safety management systems, and contributing human factors. You will also choose one elective subject, the options for which include risk management, research methods in engineering, infrastruction, applied analytics and more.
Subjects offered in intensive mode are:
- OENG1201 Investigation Readiness: intensive offered 4 – 8 July 2022
- OENG1200 Human Factors for Investigators: intensive offered 11 – 15 July 2022
- OENG1202 Accident Investigation Fundamentals: intensive offered 21 – 25 November 2022
- OENG1199 Analysis and Analytical Writing Techniques: intensive offered 28 November – 2 December 2022
- OENG1217 Specialist Engineering Techniques in Transport Safety Investigations: intensive offered 29 August – 2 September 2022
- OENG1215 Safety Management Systems in Transport Organisations: intensive offered 5 – 9 September 2022
- OENG1216 Advanced Accident Investigation: intensive offered in February 2023.
Choose a program structure
Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Graduate Diploma in Transport Safety Investigation | City Campus |
1 year full-time or 2 years part time
|
1 year full-time
|
GD208 |
Choose a program structure
Program code: GD208
Career
The skills and competencies provided by this graduate diploma are relevant to a broad range of professionals across the transport sector, including operators, regulators and infrastructure managers.
Admissions
Entry requirements
- Successful completion of an Australian bachelor degree (or international equivalent) in a related field (Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, Aviation, Mechanical/Automotive Engineering, Naval Engineering or cognate area);
OR
- 3 years of full-time equivalent relevant work experience in an Accident Investigation and/or Safety Management Systems role, including at least 1 year at manager level;
OR
- 5 years of full-time equivalent relevant work experience in the transport sector (aviation, road or maritime).
*Relevant work experience is considered to be in a role related to Accident Investigation and/or Safety Management Systems. In some cases, it is required that work experience is at manager level. Applicants who wish to have work experience assessed as part of meeting the entry requirements will need to provide a detailed CV/resume listing previous positions, dates of employment and position responsibilities; a statement from their employer confirming these details (or contact details of employer so RMIT can seek confirmation); and evidence of any relevant professional development undertaken. The number of years of work experience are considered in terms of full-time equivalence.
International qualifications are assessed for comparability to Australian qualifications according to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
- Successful completion of an Australian bachelor degree (or international equivalent) in a related field (Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, Aviation, Mechanical/Automotive Engineering, Naval Engineering or cognate area);
OR
- 3 years of full-time equivalent relevant work experience in an Accident Investigation and/or Safety Management Systems role, including at least 1 year at manager level;
OR
- 5 years of full-time equivalent relevant work experience in the transport sector (aviation, road or maritime).
Applicants who wish to have work experience assessed as part of meeting the entry requirements will need to provide a detailed CV/resume listing previous positions, dates of employment and position responsibilities; a statement from their employer confirming these details (or contact details of employer so RMIT can seek confirmation); and evidence of any relevant professional development undertaken.
International qualifications are assessed for comparability to Australian qualifications according to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Fees
2022 indicative fees
Full-fee places: AU$35,520.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$315 maximum fee for 2022.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
Amount quoted is the 2022 total program tuition fee, and is based on a total annual load of 96 credit points. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
Learn more about fees for postgraduate study.
Payments and refunds
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2022 is $315.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2022 is AU$35,520.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2022 commencement is AU$35,520.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
Applying for refunds
For information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student, please see Refunds.
Looking for answers or more general infomation?
For frequently asked questions or how to find more information regarding applications and enrolments, fees, student support services, university policies and more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.