Is my White Card still valid?
Most White Cards have no expiry date and stay current while you work in construction. The 2-year rule in each state, and how to get back on site.
Written byEdway
The short answer
Here is the good news. Most White Cards carry no expiry date. What matters is recent work: your card lapses once you have been out of construction work for 2 or more years.
If you have worked in construction in the last 2 years, your card is current. A few states word the rule their own way, and the Australian Capital Territory does not use the 2-year rule at all.
Labourers, trades, apprentices, supervisors and contractors all rely on a current card. It keeps you ready for any construction work on an Australian site.
When your card lapses
The rule is about the work you have done, not a date printed on the card. Once you have been out of the construction industry for 2 or more years, your card is no longer current.
Getting back on site is simple. Completing the construction induction training again gives you a current card. The unit is CPCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry.
The course will enable you to identify hazards, report concerns and respond to incidents. You cover WHS legislation and your duties, construction hazards and risk control measures, site safety communication and reporting, and incident and emergency response.
The rule in each state
| Where your card came from | What keeps it valid |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | No expiry. Lapses if you are out of construction work for 2 or more years. |
| Victoria | No fixed expiry. The same 2-year out-of-industry rule applies. |
| South Australia | Valid while you have worked in construction within the last 2 years. |
| Western Australia | No expiry. Invalid if you are out of the industry for 2 or more consecutive years. |
| Tasmania | No fixed expiry. Valid indefinitely unless you are out of the industry for 2 or more years. |
| Australian Capital Territory | Does not expire — indefinite unless cancelled by the ACT WHS Commissioner. |
Those are the six states and territories with a White Card course on this site.
Moving interstate
A valid construction induction card from any state or territory is recognised across Australia. Your card moves with you. This comes from the model Work Health and Safety Regulations, regulation 318.
Worksites can also run their own site induction, alongside your card.
There is no Queensland White Card course on this site, and you do not need one — a valid card issued in another state lets you work on Queensland sites.
Old card names, and the card training I need now
Construction induction cards have gone by different names. New South Wales called it the Green Card, Victoria the Red Card, and Western Australia the Blue Card.
A Victorian Red Card issued before 1 July 2008 is still valid in Victoria. If you hold one, read Swapping an old Victorian Red Card for a White Card.
Green Card, Red Card or Blue Card: which card training do I need now?
If you need construction induction training today, the course is the White Card course, CPCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry. It is the same unit in every state on this site, whatever your old card was called.
Back after a long break, or has your card lapsed? Choose your state on the course page, book the White Card course and you will be back on site with a current card.
Next step
Ready to get back on site? Choose your state on the White Card course page to see your state's validity rule, how the course is delivered and who issues your card.
Sources
- Safe Work Australia — Model Work Health and Safety RegulationsMutual recognition of a construction induction card across Australia (regulation 318)
- SafeWork NSW — White cardsNew South Wales card process and validity
- SafeWork SA — White cardSouth Australian validity: the card stays valid while you have worked in construction within the last 2 years
- training.gov.au — CPCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industryUnit code and official title
