Planning on working on a construction site in Australia? You will need a white card.
Workers on Australian construction sites must have a construction induction card (White Card) before starting work. You may also need to show your White Card to the person in charge of the construction site or an inspector if asked.
To get your White Card, you need to complete the nationally recognised CPCWHS1001 – Prepare to work safely in the construction industry course through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Once issued, your White Card is recognised Australia-wide.
The good news is that getting your White Card is fairly straightforward once you’re in Australia. Depending on the state you’re living in, you may be able to complete your training online or face-to-face.
Please note that you must physically be in Australia to complete a White Card course.
Editor’s note for Kiwis moving to Australia: If you’re using your New Zealand passport and Australian visa (SCV) to create your USI, you won’t be able to create it until you’ve arrived in Australia and cleared customs. You can book your course beforehand, but you’ll need your USI before completing your white card course (read more below).
I have spoken directly to three different White Card training providers and there is no way to get a White Card from NZ. However, you can complete the training in one day either in person or online and get your certificate on the same day.
Access to the online test is restricted to Australia (you will not be able to access it from outside Australia).
What this post covers:
- What is a White Card in Australia for?
- How do I get a White Card in Australia?
- Ready to book your White Card course?
- What you need to complete the White Card course
- Can I get my White Card online?
- How much does an Australian White Card cost?
- How long does it take to get a White Card in Australia?
- White Card Training Providers
- What will I be tested on in the Australian White Card course?
- USI (Unique Student Identifier) Requirements
What is a White Card in Australia for?
A White Card in Australia is a certification required for anyone carrying out construction work. It is also known as a Construction Induction Card or General Construction Induction Card.
To get one, you need to complete the nationally recognised CPCWHS1001 – Prepare to work safely in the construction industry course.
The course covers important workplace health and safety information, including identifying construction hazards, managing risks and knowing what to do if an incident occurs.
The White Card training is mandatory for all workers who will be working in the construction industry:
- Self-employed persons (working under their ABN)
- Labourers
- Trainees and Apprentices
- Tradespeople
- Supervisors and site managers
During your course, you’ll learn about workplace health and safety requirements, construction hazards, communicating and reporting safety issues, and incident and emergency procedures.
How do I get a White Card in Australia?
To get a White Card in Australia, you need to complete an approved construction induction training course through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
The type of training available depends on which Australian state you’re living in. Depending on the state and provider, training may be available face-to-face or through an approved online/virtual classroom option:
- Complete approved online/virtual training: Where permitted in your state, some providers offer approved online or virtual classroom White Card training. The format and assessment process will depend on the provider and state requirements.
- Complete face-to-face training: Attend an approved classroom course, which can generally be completed in one day.
Once you’ve successfully completed your training, you’ll receive a Statement of Attainment and your White Card will be issued according to the requirements of your state.
Your White Card is then recognised Australia-wide.
Please note that online White Card training is only available in certain states.
Whether you are doing it online or in person, you need to book your place!
Ready to book your White Card?
I’ve partnered with National White Card Courses (RTO 41072), who offer White Card training across Australia, with course options depending on the state you’re moving to.
They have issued more than 50,000 White Cards and have over 6,000 5-star reviews, so I’m really pleased to be able to offer Moving to Australia visitors a discount on their training.
Save $5 on your White Card course using code: MTA0526.
What you need to complete the White Card course
Before completing your White Card training, you’ll generally need:
- Valid identification that meets the requirements for your course and state (usually including photo ID)
- A suitable level of English to understand and complete the training
- A USI (Unique Student Identifier)
- To meet any minimum age requirements that apply in your state
- Requirements can vary between states and training providers, so make sure you check the details for the course you’re booking.
Please note, National White Card Courses will help you along the way and let you know what ID requirements, etc are required by your state. All the communication I have had with them has been fantastic, and the reviews speak for themselves.
However, if you want to know now exactly what the requirements are, you can find out using the links below:
Can I get my White Card online?
Whether you can complete White Card training online depends on the state you’re living in and the delivery methods currently approved in that state.
Some states allow approved online or virtual classroom training, while others require face-to-face training:
- NSW – 9 locations + Zoom
- Queensland – 6 locations + Zoom
- Victoria – 8 on-site locations
- SA – training in Adelaide
- WA – training in Perth
- Tasmania – face-to-face training
The good news is that once you’ve successfully obtained your White Card, it is recognised Australia-wide.
Check the current White Card course options for your state.
How much does an Australian White Card cost?
An Australian White Card generally costs between $80 and $250, depending on the state you’re in, the training provider you choose and whether you complete the course online or face-to-face.
At the time of updating this article, White Card courses with National White Card Courses start from $89 ($84 for MTA visitors), with prices varying by state.
Moving to Australia readers can also save $5 on their White Card course using discount code: MTA0526.
- NSW – from $99 ($94 using discount code MTA0526)
- Queensland – from $99 ($94 using discount code MTA0526)
- Victoria – from $99 ($94 using discount code MTA0526)
- SA – $89 ($84 using discount code MTA0526)
- WA – $90 ($85 using discount code MTA0526)
- Tasmania – $99 ($94 using discount code MTA0526)
How long does it take to get a White Card in Australia?
White Card training can generally be completed in one day, although the exact time depends on your state, training provider and whether you complete the course face-to-face or through an approved online/virtual option.
Once you successfully complete the course, you’ll receive a Statement of Attainment. The process for receiving your physical White Card varies by state.
If you’re moving from New Zealand and need a White Card to start work, I recommend booking your course before you leave NZ for as soon as possible after you arrive in Australia.
White Card Training Provider
There are lots of White Card training providers in Australia. Whichever provider you choose, make sure they are a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) approved to provide the training you need.
I’ve partnered with National White Card Courses (RTO 41072), who provide White Card training across NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, and at a very competitive rate.
They offer face-to-face and approved online/virtual options depending on your state and have issued more than 50,000 White Cards across Australia.
And you know I value Google reviews and National White Card Courses have 5 stars!
As a Moving to Australia reader, you’ll receive $5 off your White Card course. Please use my discount code: MTA0526.
Book your White Card course now with National White Card Courses.
What will I be tested on in the Australian White Card course?
To get your White Card, you’ll need to show that you understand the basic health and safety knowledge required to work safely on a construction site in Australia.
The White Card course covers three main areas: Work Health and Safety (WHS) responsibilities, identifying and managing construction hazards and risks, and responding to workplace accidents and incidents.
During your course and assessment, you can expect to cover topics including:
- Workplace health and safety (WHS) – your responsibilities as a worker, your employer’s responsibilities and duty of care.
- Construction hazards and risks – how to identify common hazards such as asbestos, electrical hazards, working at heights, hazardous substances, traffic and mobile plant, manual handling and confined spaces.
- Risk management – how to identify hazards, assess risks, report them, control the hazard and review whether the controls are effective.
- Hazard controls and PPE – including the hierarchy of hazard controls and when personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hard hats, safety boots, gloves, eye protection and high-vis clothing, should be used.
- Safety signs and tags – understanding common construction site signs, including danger, warning, prohibition, mandatory and emergency signs.
- Safe work documents – including Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), Job Safety Analysis (JSA), incident reports and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
- Reporting hazards, incidents and injuries – who to report them to and what to do when an incident occurs.
- Emergency procedures and first aid – what to do in a workplace emergency, how to call for help and the basic steps to follow if someone is injured.
You don’t need previous construction experience to understand the course. The training is designed to teach you the basic safety knowledge you need before working on a construction site.
USI (Unique Student Identifier) Requirements
Before you complete your White Card training, you’ll need a Unique Student Identifier (USI).
Your USI is free, stays with you for life and creates a record of your nationally recognised training in Australia.
Can I create my USI before moving from New Zealand?
If you’re using your New Zealand passport and Australian visa as your identification, unfortunately not.
The Australian Government specifically confirms that New Zealand students cannot use their New Zealand passport to create a USI until they have landed in Australia and gone through customs.
However, you can research and organise your White Card course before leaving New Zealand, then create your USI once you arrive.
Editors note: If you need your White Card to start a new job, organise your training for soon after you arrive in Australia so you can get onto site as quickly as possible.
Create your USI for free on the official Australian Government website.
Are you ready to book your White Card course?
If you know your move date and are keen to lock in your course, you can do so by following the links below. Don’t forget to save $5 using my discount code: MTA0526.
- NSW – from $99 – 9 locations + Zoom
- Queensland – from $99 – 6 locations + Zoom
- Victoria – from $99 – 8 on-site locations
- SA – $89 – training in Adelaide
- WA – $90 – training in Perth
- Tasmania – $99 – face-to-face training
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