Our quality systems are designed from the ground up to meet the documentation, traceability, and compliance demands of Australian defence programs.
Our quality management system is aligned to ISO 9001:2015 requirements and we are actively progressing toward formal certification. All processes, documentation, and controls have been built to meet or exceed the standard.
The Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) pathway is in progress. We are preparing the governance, personnel security, and physical security controls required for membership and classified work.
We are building awareness and internal controls for ITAR and Australian export control regulations. Our 100% Australian ownership simplifies compliance and eliminates foreign parent company complications.
Our roadmap includes AS 9100 (aerospace quality), ISO 14001 (environmental management), and ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety). Each standard will be pursued as our defence program participation grows.
We believe in transparency about our certification status. Rather than overstating our position, we provide an honest assessment of our current capability and a clear roadmap for future accreditations.
Defence primes deserve honesty from their supply chain partners. We have seen too many SMEs overstate their certifications or imply accreditations they do not hold. That approach wastes everyone's time and creates risk for the prime.
Maxwell & Higgs takes a different approach. We tell you exactly where we are, what we have, and what we are working toward. Our quality systems are real, our documentation is genuine, and our roadmap is achievable. You can verify everything we claim.
Maxwell & Higgs is actively pursuing Defence industry development grants to accelerate our certification pathway and expand our testing capabilities. These programs are designed to help sovereign SMEs build the capacity that defence primes need.
Partnering with us now means you are supporting an Australian SME that is investing in its own growth — exactly the kind of supply chain development story that strengthens AIC Plans.
| Test Category | Our Standard | Test Description | Defence Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Chip Resistance | ASTM D3170 | Gravelometer testing simulating high-velocity stone and debris impact on coated and protected surfaces | Vehicle underbody and panel protection under operational conditions |
| Salt Spray Corrosion | ASTM B117 | Accelerated corrosion testing in salt fog chamber to validate protective coating durability | Maritime and coastal deployment environments |
| UV Durability | ASTM G154 | Accelerated UV weathering using fluorescent UV lamps to simulate long-term sun exposure degradation | Tropical and arid deployment zones with extreme UV exposure |
| Vibration Resistance | ISO 16750-3:2007 | Mechanical vibration testing for components mounted on road vehicles and defence platforms | Mounted equipment on armoured vehicles and logistics fleet |
| Road Safety Compliance | ADR 42, 47, 13 | Australian Design Rules compliance for vehicle modifications including projection, visibility, and lighting | On-road compliance for modified military and logistics vehicles |
In defence, the documentation is the product. Every component we manufacture comes with complete traceability, inspection records, and compliance evidence that your quality team can audit with confidence.
Full mill certificate traceability from raw material to finished component. Every piece of steel, aluminium, and polymer is tracked and documented.
Comprehensive FAI reports verifying that the first production unit meets all design specifications, tolerances, and quality requirements.
Certified welding procedures and welder qualifications documented to AS/NZS ISO 3834 and relevant defence welding standards.
Detailed ITPs defining inspection points, acceptance criteria, hold points, and witness points throughout the manufacturing process.
Finite Element Analysis reports documenting stress, deflection, and fatigue simulations used to validate designs before manufacture.
Non-destructive testing readiness for critical weld and structural inspections, with established relationships with accredited NDT providers.
We maintain a security-conscious workplace and are progressively strengthening our security posture to meet Defence industry requirements.
Defence Industry Security Program membership application in progress. Security Officer appointed. Baseline personnel and physical security controls implemented.
Information security practices are being progressively aligned with ACSC Essential Eight requirements. Implementation of Maturity Level 1 controls is underway.
Maxwell & Higgs is aware of its obligations under the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012 and the Defence and Strategic Goods List. We maintain processes to ensure compliance with Australian export control regulations.
Our Moorabbin facility maintains access control, CCTV monitoring, visitor management procedures, and secure storage for controlled materials and documentation.
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect customer data, intellectual property, and any controlled information shared during engagements.
Maxwell & Higgs maintains comprehensive business insurance including public liability, product liability, professional indemnity, and workers' compensation. Certificates of currency available on request.
Whether you need our capability statement, quality manual, or specific test reports, we are ready to provide the documentation your bid team and quality assurance team requires.