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**This is an updated post**

A White Card, is a mandatory card required by all workers who want to work on a construction site. It's also sometimes referred to as a general construction induction card (CIC).

A white card is proof a person has undertaken and completed Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) induction training related to the construction industry. 

OHS induction training involves learning the basic principles of risk management, and injury and illness prevention in the construction industry, as well as all OHS legislative requirements.

Common questions about white cards answered

Who is required to have a white card?

Anyone who works on a construction site needs to hold a white card. 

People who need a white card include site managers, supervisors, surveyors, tradespeople, or any workers whose job requires them to access a construction site to carry out construction work, such as renovations, repairs, maintenance, demolition or dismantling of a structure.

Please note, your white card will be voided if you haven't worked on a construction site for two consecutive years or more. 

Is anyone exempt from needing a white card?

Some people are exempt from needing a white card. These include visitors to a construction site who are accompanied by someone who has a white card, and people temporarily visiting a construction site to deliver supplies, material, or services where a risk assessment indicates any risks can be controlled.

Is a white card same as a Builders Licence?

A white card  is not the same a Builder’s Licence. A Builders Licence is only legally required by someone who is a site supervisor, manager, or foreman and their role will be to oversee a construction projection. However, anyone who requires a Builder’s Licence would need to have a white card.

Can I use a white card anywhere in Australia?

White cards are nationally recognised. This means you will be able to work interstate at a construction site if you need to, provided you can prove you completed the induction training in your home state.

However, each state has a slightly different way of obtaining a white card. 

How to get a white card in your state or territory

White card New South Wales

To qualify for a white card in NSW, you need to first complete general construction induction training with an RTO. Find your nearest white card trainer here. General construction induction training is a nationally accredited competency unit known as ‘CPCCWHS1001 — Prepare to work safely in the construction industry’. 

Then, you will need to provide the trainer with 100 points of ID. You also need to be 14 years of age or older.  

Once you’ve completed the training, the RTO will submit the application forms for the white card to WorkSafe New South Wales. 

It’s important to note that green cards are no longer valid in NSW, or any other states or territories. If you have a green card then you’ll need to go through the process to obtain a white card instead.  

White card Victoria

To qualify for a white card in VIC, you need to first complete general construction induction training with an RTO. Find your nearest white card trainer here. 

This construction industry training must include a unit of competency called 'CPCCWHS1001 - Prepare to work safely in the construction industry'. 

Then, you will need to provide the trainer with photo identification.  

Once you’ve completed the training, the RTO will submit the application forms for the white card to WorkSafe Victoria. 

It’s important to note that in Victoria, anyone who is performing construction is required to complete a general OHS construction induction (CI).The only exception of when you don’t need CI training is when owner builders are carrying out construction at their own domestic premises, which is not considered a workplace. 

White card Queensland

To qualify for a white card in QLD, you need to first complete construction induction training with a Registered Training Provider (RTO). Find your nearest white card trainer here. 

This construction induction training must include a unit of competency called 'CPCCWHS1001 - Prepare to work safely in the construction industry'.

Then, once you’ve completed the training, the trainer will provide evidence that you’ve completed the training and will issue your white card.  

It’s important to note that in QLD, the white card was previously known as the blue card. If you have a blue card, you don’t need to change to a white card unless you are enrolled in a training course that requires you to complete CPCCWHS1001.  

If you lose, damage, or destroy your blue card, you can contact your relevant RTO to replace it with a white card, and you generally will not need to complete the new CPCCWHS1001 course. 

White card Western Australia

To qualify for a white card in WA, you need to first complete construction induction training with an RTO. Find your nearest white card trainer here. 

This construction induction training must include a unit of competency called 'CPCCWHS1001 - Prepare to work safely in the construction industry'.

Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll need to provide the RTO with proof of identification. Then, they will issue you with a statement of attainment as well as your white card.  

White card South Australia

To qualify for a white card in SA, you need to first complete construction induction training with an RTO. Find your nearest white card trainer here. 

This construction induction training must include a unit of competency called ‘CPCCWHS1001— Prepare to work safely in the construction industry’. 

Once you’ve completed the course, the RTO will issue your white card.  

White card Tasmania

To qualify for a white card in TAS, you need to first complete construction induction training with an RTO. Find your nearest white card trainer here.

This construction induction training must include a unit of competency called ‘CPCCWHS1001 — Prepare to work safely in the construction industry’. This training must be completed in Tasmania. 

Then, once you’ve completed the training, the RTO will provide you with a certificate of attainment.  

You then need to submit this certificate, along with a completed Construction Induction Application Form and accompanying ID documents, to a Service Tasmania branch. You need to ensure that you apply for your white card within 60 days of completing your construction induction training. 

Service Tasmania will review the documentation and forward it to WorkSafe for processing. You’ll then be issued with your white card if the application is all approved.  

White card Northern Territory

To qualify for a white card in the NT, you need to first complete general induction training with an RTO. Find your nearest white card trainer here. 

This construction induction training must include a unit of competency called ‘CPCCWHS1001 — Prepare to work safely in the construction industry’. 

Once you’ve completed the course, the RTO will issue your white card.  

White card ACT

To qualify for a white card in the ACT, you need to first complete construction induction training with an RTO. Find your nearest white card trainer here. 

This construction induction training must include a unit of competency called ‘CPCCWHS1001 — Prepare to work safely in the construction industry’. 

The RTO will then provide you with a certificate of attainment, and you will need to apply for a white card through Access Canberra.

Where can I study a building and construction course?

Did you know that Open Colleges offers building and construction courses online? 

Our online courses will teach you the skills and knowledge you need. You’ll get the right mix of skills and practical training to ensure you’re qualified to take on work within the booming construction industry.  

Find out more about Open Colleges’ online building and construction courses today and see where your career in construction could take you.