White Card - Construction induction

Ryan Senn on June 10, 2020

If you are looking for work in the construction industry, you have probably heard about White Cards (formerly known as Blue Cards). To put it simply, they are licenses required to not only work on, but also enter construction sites.

In Queensland, the cards are issued by the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) you complete the training with on behalf of WorkSafe Queensland.

RTOs need to have the accredited Unit of Competency CPCCWHS1001 - prepare to work safely in the construction industry on scope with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) in order to deliver the training. Further to that, they need to be licensed by WorkSafe Queensland in order to be issued cards.

White Card training

The current Unit of Competency "CPCCWHS1001 - Prepare to work safely in the construction industry" supersedes and is equivalent to "CPCCOHS1001A - Work safely in the construction industry".

The new Unit of Competency was released in December 2016, which ASQA states is "in response to stakeholder concerns about the quality of training". The new Unit of Competency now requires RTOs to ensure that:

Learners are observed by the assessor
Assessors hold an additional Unit of Competency - CPCCWHS2001 - Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry

As an induction course, it is designed to be very accessible and is rated as a level 1 course by the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF), out of a possible 10 levels.

As the name indicates, the course is all about safety in the construction industry. The course is split into 3 main components:

Written component
Verbal component
Demonstration component

In order to complete the written component, learners must read and answer questions in writing.

In the verbal component, learners must be able to ask questions to clarify instructions and report construction problems or hazards.

In the demonstration component, the trainer and assessor will show how to properly fit and wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used on construction sites. The learners must then successfully fit the PPE on themselves. Currently, the following 4 pieces of PPE are part of the course:

eye protection
hearing protection
hard hat
high visibility retro reflective vest

Lost White Card replacement

If you have lost or damaged your White Card, you can order a replacement from the RTO you completed your training with. If the RTO is no longer in business, you can shop around for the cheapest provider.

You will need to provide evidence that you have completed the training with a Statement of Attainment issued by the RTO.

Whitecard vs Blue Card

The current card issued when completing your construction induction training in Queensland is known as the Whitecard. Previously, the Whitecard was known as the Blue Card. While Blue Cards are still valid and do not need to be upgraded, some employers might suggest that you complete the current course and be issued with a White Card.

Blue Cards cannot be replaced, and construction induction training must be completed in order to be issued with a current card.

Construction White Card

The course covers the mandatory work health & safety training that is necessary to work on construction sites. Learners need to have the legislative knowledge of health and safety requirements in order to work in safe manner and prevent injury or harm to themselves and others.

As general induction training, workers are still expected to undertake site-specific training offered by employers prior to commencing work on a construction site.

You can head over to the Tradie Training website to book your QLD White Card.

Qualifications that include the White Card course

As induction training, is it not surprising that the Unit of Competency is included in the training scope of a vast amount of qualifications.

Here is the list at the time of writing this article:

UET20619 - Certificate II in ESI - Asset Inspection
UET20519 - Certificate II in National Broadband Network Cabling (Electricity Supply Industry Assets)
UET20419 - Certificate II in Transmission Structure and Line Assembly
UEP40518 - Certificate IV in ESI Generation Maintenance (Mechanical)
UEG60118 - Advanced Diploma of Gas Supply Industry Operations
UEG50118 - Diploma of Gas Supply Industry Operations
UEG40118 - Certificate IV in Gas Supply Industry Operations
UEG30118 - Certificate III in Gas Supply Industry Operations
UEG20118 - Certificate II in Gas Supply Industry Operations
TLI41918 - Certificate IV in Mobile Crane Operations
TLI40218 - Certificate IV in Mobile Crane Operations
TLI31718 - Certificate III in Mobile Crane Operations
MSF60118 - Advanced Diploma of Interior Design
MSF50218 - Diploma of Interior Design
MSF40318 - Certificate IV in Kitchen and Bathroom Design
MSF31113 - Certificate III in Cabinet Making
MSF30919 - Certificate III in Blinds, Awnings, Security Screens and Grilles
MSF30913 - Certificate III in Blinds, Awnings, Security Screens and Grilles
MSF30818 - Certificate III in Flooring Technology
MSF30418 - Certificate III in Glass and Glazing
MSF20313 - Certificate II in Furniture Making
MSF20113 - Certificate II in Furnishing
ICT20319 - Certificate II in Telecommunications Technology
DEF51115 - Diploma of Leadership
CPP41212 - Certificate IV in NatHERS Assessment
CPP41119 - Certificate IV in Home Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
CPP40115 - Certificate IV in Building Design Drafting
CPP30216 - Certificate III in Surveying and Spatial Information Services
CPP20319 - Certificate II in Technical Security
CPP20116 - Certificate II in Surveying and Spatial Information Services
CPC50210 - Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
CPC41013 - Certificate IV in Demolition
CPC40808 - Certificate IV in Swimming Pool and Spa Building
CPC40708 - Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Trade Contracting)
CPC40611 - Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Specialist Trades)
CPC40508 - Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Site Management)
CPC40308 - Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Estimating)
CPC40110 - Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building)
CPC10111 - Certificate I in Construction
BSB42115 - Certificate IV in Library and Information Services
AHC30816 - Certificate III in Arboriculture