Can I do my White Card online?

Two kinds of online course

Self-paced online means you work through the modules in your own time. There is no class date, and no trainer in the room with you.

A live online class is the opposite. It is a real-time class over Zoom with a qualified trainer, and you complete the assessment in the session, the same as a classroom day.

The two are not interchangeable, and the state decides which one you get.

Self-paced online: Tasmania and WA

Tasmania and Western Australia are the two states where you can start straight away and study at your own pace. Most people finish in around 6.5 hours.

Your enrolment stays open for 2 months, counted from the date of your confirmation email. If you do not finish inside that window, your enrolment is recorded as not completed and the fee is not refunded.

Two things to know before you book:

• Western Australia is for Western Australian residents. You provide evidence of that when you enrol, and you need to be in Western Australia when you complete your assessment.
• Tasmania has a step after the course. You apply for your card in person at Service Tasmania within 60 days of finishing, and WorkSafe Tasmania issues it.

Live online classes over Zoom

New South Wales, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory run live online classes. You join a trainer over Zoom for about 6.5 hours including breaks, and you finish the assessment in the session.

You need a computer or tablet with a webcam and microphone. Your camera stays on, and your identity is checked on camera.

In New South Wales the training must be trainer-led and in real time, whether that is a classroom or a live virtual classroom. A self-paced online-only White Card course is not permitted there, under the SafeWork NSW conditions for registered training organisations. You also need to be in New South Wales during a Zoom class. A live class is not a lesser option than the classroom — both are trainer-led, both are assessed, and both lead to the same card.

New South Wales training is delivered by Training Aid Australia (RTO 91411). The other states are delivered by Edway Training (RTO 91401).

Victoria runs in a classroom

Edway's Victorian White Card course is a classroom course, at Melbourne or Hallam. Edway does not offer an online White Card course in Victoria.

Victoria does have an online Red Card transfer, for people who already hold a Victorian Red Card issued before 1 July 2008. That is a transfer of an existing card, not the White Card course.

Before you book

Wherever you train, you need valid photo identification, a Unique Student Identifier (USI) and enough English to take part. After booking, you complete a short language, literacy, numeracy and digital check in your student account.

Your card is recognised across Australia whichever state you train in. There is generally no fixed expiry, but it lapses if you are out of construction work for 2 or more years.

Next step

Choose your state on the White Card course page to see how the course is delivered where you are, and what you receive.