What is a White Card?

A White Card is evidence that you are able to legally enter a construction site in Australia. To get a White card you must complete a White Card course offered by an approved registered training organisation (RTO). Previously the White Card has been known as a Blue Card, Red Card or Green Card course, depending on your state or territory.

Online White Card versus face to face White Card

In the past, White Card training could be done online. However, currently only residents of Western Australia (WA) and Tasmania (TAS) are able to complete the White Card online. An exemption also applies for rural Queensland (QLD) residents whose residential address is more than 100km from the nearest training provider. This means most Queensland residents will be required to complete their QLD White Card training face to face. The Queensland White Card coursecan be done face to face in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Logan, Ipswich and most major regional cities. You can book your QLD White Card course here.

Residents of New South Wales (NSW) will need to complete their NSW White Card training face to face. White Card training can be completed in Sydney, Dee Why, Miranda, Granville and Liverpool. Victorian (VIC) residents are able to complete their course face to face in Melbourne, Hampton Park, Ormond, Northcote and regional areas. Residents of the Northern Territory (NT) and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and South Australia (SA) will need to complete face to face White Card training, as required by health and safety regulators.

The White Card course

Your White Card training will generally take between four to six hours depending on how much experience you already have relating to construction safety. The course is divided into three parts. First, a theory section where you will be asked to answer a series of short answer and multiple choice questions. The second section is made up of short verbal questions. Finally, you will be required to fit four specific items of personal protective equipment (PPE) to yourself. The unit code of the course is CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry. You should make sure your training provider is not offering the old course: CPCCWHS1001A Work safely in the construction industry.

When will I get my White Card?

Some training providers will post your White Card a few days after you have completed the course. At Queensland White Card Training we understand the importance of getting on site ASAP, so once you complete your course you will walk away with your White Card on the day. You will also be emailed a Statement of Attainment on completion of your course.

Nationally recognised training

White Cards are nationally recognised, meaning once you have completed your White Card course you are able to work across state and territory borders. However, we recommend checking with your employer to make sure they do not require you to complete state-specific construction induction training. Please note your White Card will not expire, but you may be required to complete general construction induction training again if you do not work in the construction industry for a period of two years or more.

Who needs a White Card?

Workers in the following roles are required to have a White Card in order to legally enter construction sites in Australia:

• Tradespeople
• Laborers
• Site supervisors
• Site managers
• Any worker who enters a construction site
• Surveyors

Replacement White Card

Queensland White Cards can be replaced if lost or damaged. Any RTO offering the Queensland White Card course will be able to issue a replacement card. You will be required to provide photo ID as well as a copy of your original Statement of Attainment for the unit of competencies CPCCWHS1001 - Prepare to work safely in the construction industry or CPCCOHS1001A - Work safely in the construction industry.