If you have been seeking employment as a labourer in Australia, you will have seen the term ‘White Card’ referenced frequently.
A White Card is a mandatory requirement for construction workers in Australia. This means that if you want to work in the construction industry, you have to have one. Even if you are only visiting Australia for a short period of time on a working holiday visa, you are not allowed to work on a construction site without a White Card.
White Card is the common name for the ‘Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry CPCCWHS1001’ training course. Holding a valid White Card means that you have completed official, certified general construction induction training with a registered organisation within Australia.
According to National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work, the people who need a White Card include:
- Construction labourers
- Tradespeople
- Site managers
- Supervisors
- Surveyors
- People who access operational construction zones unaccompanied or unsupervised
- Workers who routinely enter operational construction zones
A White Card training course covers the general safety requirements of an operational safety site in Australia. Most worksites prefer that you have completed this training face-to-face, rather than online so that they can guarantee you meet the requirements.
At a White Card training course, you will learn about Australia’s legal requirements for workplace health and safety on a construction site. You’ll be taught:
- How to identify a safety hazard
- How to report a safety issue on a worksite
- What measures should be taken to reduce the risk of accident or injury
- How to correctly respond to a workplace health and safety incident
When you attend a course, you will be shown presentations and videos. You will also participate in class activities. At the end of the day, there will be an assessment/test, which you must pass in order to receive your White Card. It is recommended to have at least a basic understanding of the English language, in order to be able to follow the course material and pass the test at the end.
As soon as you complete your White Card training, you will be given a Statement of Training, which will allow you to start work on a construction site anywhere in Australia straight away. Then you will be registered with the SafeWork NSW in New South Wales or WorkSafe VIC in Victoria who will issue the plastic card and post your address within 60 days. Your certification will remain valid unless you do not work in construction for a period of two years or more.
In NSW, Edway Training offers White Card training in Sydney CBD, Parramatta and Liverpool. Visit our White Card Sydney page for more information, training schedule and online bookings.
In Victoria, White Card training is offered in Melbourne CBD, Sunshine and Hallam. More information is available on our White Card Melbourne page.
