You have a start date on a site, or you are trying to get one, and the first thing anyone asks is “Have you got your white card?” If you have never worked in construction before, that question can stop you in your tracks.
The good news is that the white card is a one-day course. You need no experience, and it is the first step into construction that every other ticket builds on. Here is how to get a white card in Queensland, step by step, and what it actually is.
What is a white card in Australia?
A white card is the card you get after completing general construction induction training. Its official name is the general construction induction card, but everyone on site just calls it a white card.
To get one, you complete a single nationally recognised unit of competency: CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry. This is the mandatory work health and safety training you need before you start construction work. The white card training covers:
- the health and safety laws that apply to construction work
- spotting common construction hazards and reporting them
- basic risk control measures
- what to do in an incident or emergency
- choosing and fitting the right personal protective equipment (PPE)
On successful completion, you get a statement of attainment for the unit and a wallet card. That card is your proof that you know how to work safely in the construction industry.
Who needs a white card?
Anyone who carries out construction work in Australia must hold a white card. In Queensland, an employer cannot let you carry out construction work until you have done the training. That covers labourers, trade assistants, plant operators, apprentices and anyone else who wants to work in construction, whether it is a house slab or a major civil job.
It is usually the very first ticket people get. If you are after an excavator ticket, a forklift licence or any other civil construction ticket, you will need a valid white card to actually get on site and use it. Every construction worker starts here.
Coming from another state? An equivalent card issued in another state or territory is accepted in Queensland, as long as it has not been cancelled.
How to get a white card in QLD: step by step
Step 1: Get your USI
A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is a free, lifelong education number. You need one for any nationally recognised training, and you only create it once. If you do not have one yet, create it at usi.gov.au. You will need verifiable ID to set it up.
Step 2: Choose an RTO that delivers it in Queensland
Your white card needs to come from a registered training organisation (RTO) that delivers general construction induction training in QLD. Diggerman Training is an RTO based in Coolum on the Sunshine Coast that delivers nationally accredited training, and we run the white card course most Fridays.
Step 3: Book your course
Pick a date that suits you and book in on the white card course page. With a course on most Fridays, you rarely have to wait long for a spot.
Step 4: Turn up dressed for site
Come dressed the way you would for a construction site:
- long sleeve hi-vis shirt (or a long sleeve shirt with a hi-vis vest)
- long pants
- steel cap safety boots
- hard hat and safety glasses (optional)
Have your USI handy too. If you are not sure what else to bring, call us on (07) 5351 1811 before your training day.
Step 5: Do the theory, then the practical
The training is split into two parts. First the theory, then a practical section where you show you can apply it. Our trainers have 20+ years of industry experience, so you are learning from people who have worked on the sites they are talking about.
Step 6: Get your statement of attainment and card
When you pass, you receive a statement of attainment and your white card as a wallet card. You are ready to work on construction sites.
How long does it take?
The training runs for at least 4.5 hours, the minimum Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) sets, so it is done in a single day.
Can you get a white card online in QLD?
Not through a self-paced online course. In Queensland, white card training must be delivered face to face by a WHSQ-approved trainer, or live in real time by an RTO approved to do so. It runs for at least 4.5 hours.
Our course is face to face at our Coolum facility, with a trainer in the room to answer your questions.
How much does a white card cost?
Check the white card course page for current pricing.
Does a white card expire?
Your white card does not carry an expiry date. But in Queensland, if you did the training more than two years ago and have not carried out construction work in the last two years, you will need to do the training again before you go back on site. If you have been out of the industry for a while, check this before you start a new job.
What if you lose your white card?
Lost your white card? Start by contacting the RTO that trained you. To get a replacement card, you will need to make a declaration about how the card was lost, stolen or destroyed, and there is usually a fee. WHSQ can tell you the current steps if the RTO is no longer operating, or if your existing card came from another state.
What our students say
“Did my white card through Diggerman. These guys will get you there, with no problems. Definitely recommend.” – Scott
“All staff are helpful and friendly. I did the White Card course and our trainer was Fingers, he is awesome, funny and made learning enjoyable” – Jennifer
Key takeaways
- A white card is the general construction induction card you get after completing CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry.
- Anyone who carries out construction work in Australia must hold one.
- You need a USI, and at Diggerman Training the course is face to face and takes one day.
- Your card does not expire, but you need to redo the training if you have been off construction work for two years.
- If you lose your card, start with the RTO that trained you.
Courses mentioned in this article:
- CPCCWHS1001 – Prepare to work safely in the construction industry
- RIIMPO320F – Conduct civil construction excavator operations
- RIIWHS204E – Work safely at heights
Ready to get your white card?
If you are ready for a career in construction, the white card is step one. Book a spot on our next course in Coolum and you could have your white card training done in a single day. Once you have it, plenty of our students go on to add tickets like Working at Heights or a machine ticket.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Do I need any experience to do the white card course?
No. There are no prerequisites for the course. It suits people who are brand new to construction, as well as experienced workers who need to redo their training.
Q: How old do you need to be to get a white card?
At Diggerman Training, the minimum age for the white card course is 13.
Q: Can I visit a construction site without a white card?
If you are doing construction work, you need a white card. If you are only visiting, talk to the site manager first, as each site has its own rules for visitors.
Q: Is the white card course hard?
Most people find it straightforward. It covers practical construction safety, and our trainers take the time to make sure you understand it before you move on.
Q: Can I use a white card from another state in Queensland?
Yes. An equivalent card issued in another state or territory is recognised in Queensland, as long as it has not been cancelled.
