What is a White Card?
So what is a white card? A White Card is evidence that you have completed construction safety induction training, which is a mandatory legal requirement for all persons at a workplace at which construction work is performed, with the exception of:
visitors to the workplace who are accompanied at all times by a person who has received construction induction training; and
persons temporarily at the workplace to deliver plant, supplies or materials.
construction induction training (white card training) must be provided to the person before the person commences construction work.
construction induction training (white card training) must be provided by a construction RTO (Registered Training Organisation).
a person must not perform construction work at the workplace unless the person holds a current construction induction card (white card).
The construction induction training (white card training) covers basic health and safety knowledge for working in the construction industry. The purpose of the white card training is to ensure all persons, who work in the construction industry, have basic occupational health and safety (OHS) knowledge so that the OHS risk in this industry can be reduced dramatically. Most employers or worksites prefer that you complete this training in a face-to-face class rather than an online self-paced course so that they have confidence that you have received quality training and met their requirements.
How to get a White Card?
To complete White Card training, you need to attend a training session with a WorkSafe Department accredited Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and complete a nationally accredited unit (CPCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry).
Origin Institute is an RTO accredited by the WorkSafe VIC to deliver the White Card training. Once the training is completed, you will receive a Statement of Attainment and a White Card.
In Victoria, Origin Institute runs White Card training in more than 20 locations, so you can find a convenient training location for you easily.
Who needs a White Card?
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 on a working holiday visa, you are not allowed to work on a construction site without a White Card. The person who needs a White Card includes but is not limited to:
Construction laborers
Tradespeople
Site managers
Supervisors
Surveyors
People who access operational construction zones unaccompanied or unsupervised
Workers who routinely enter operational construction zones
Why the White Card training is so Important?
So here are a couple of reasons why you need a white card before getting a construction job. In Australia, the first priority to work in the construction industry is always safety. This is the main reason why we have this mandatory legal requirement in place to ensure all workers have a solid understanding of safety protocols. Lacking essential OHS knowledge not only exposes yourself but everyone who works around you to potential OHS risk when you are working in the construction industry. Here, we break the importance and reasons down into the following parts:
Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S): White Card training aims to promote a safe working environment in the construction industry. It provides workers with knowledge and awareness of potential hazards, safety procedures, and best practices to prevent accidents and injuries on construction sites. By ensuring that workers have a solid understanding of safety protocols, the training helps reduce workplace incidents and promotes a culture of safety.
Legal Compliance: In many jurisdictions, including Australia, holding a White Card is a legal requirement for anyone working on a construction site. It is a mandatory certification that demonstrates a worker's knowledge of construction site safety. Employers are legally obligated to ensure that their workers hold valid White Cards, and failure to comply with this requirement can result in penalties or legal consequences.
Industry Standardisation: White Card training helps establish a standardised level of safety knowledge across the construction industry. Regardless of their previous experience or background, all workers are required to undergo this training to ensure they possess a baseline understanding of construction site safety. This standardisation helps create a consistent safety culture and improves communication and collaboration among workers from different trades and backgrounds.
Risk Reduction: Construction sites can be inherently dangerous due to various hazards, such as working at heights, working with heavy machinery, or exposure to hazardous substances. White Card training equips workers with the necessary knowledge to identify and mitigate these risks effectively. It covers topics such as hazard identification, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, emergency procedures, and the importance of communication and cooperation on site. By providing workers with these skills, the training helps reduce the likelihood of accidents, injuries, and potential fatalities.
Employability: Holding a valid White Card is often a prerequisite for employment in the construction industry. Employers prefer to hire workers who have completed the necessary safety training, as it demonstrates their commitment to workplace safety and their ability to work responsibly. Having a White Card can enhance job prospects and open up more opportunities for construction-related work.
Overall, White Card training is crucial because it prioritises safety in the construction industry, ensures legal compliance, standardises safety knowledge, reduces risks, and improves employability for workers.
Can I attend White Card Training if I'm an International Student?
Yes, you can attend the White Card training with Origin Institute. We are also a CRICOS provider, which offers multiple construction courses to international students.
