Safework Australia develops national policies for workers’ health and safety for many reasons. One of these is the requirement for construction workers to complete a white card course before working onsite. The Commonwealth, states, and territories regulate this law in their jurisdiction. To understand why this construction induction training is essential, read further. This article will cover everything you need to know about a white card course.
Who Requires the Completion of a White Card Course?
The Commonwealth, states, and territories implement Safework’s national policies regarding work health and safety (WHS). A local WHS regulator enforces the act and regulations in their jurisdictions. The laws include codes of practice for each industry to guide workers and persons conducting a business (PCBU) to achieve the WHS standards. In the construction industry, one of the regulations is completing the white card course. It is required for anyone who will perform a job onsite.
What is a White Card Course?
A white card course is another term for general construction induction training. Safework’s Code of Practice for Construction Work explains that a person who finished this unit may apply to their regulator for the training card. The sector refers to this as the white card, giving another name to the course.
Why is a White Card Course Required?
Local regulators implement the completion of the white card course for the construction workers to:
- Learn the basic knowledge of construction work.
- Understand the work health and safety laws that apply.
- Identify the common hazards they may encounter on construction sites.
- Learn how to control risks.
The code of practice states that Registered Training Organisations (RTO) deliver this unit.
Where to Find a White Card Course?
Registered Training Organisations such as the Accredited Short Courses (RTO NO 21903) deliver the white card course in the following areas:
- Melbourne
- Laverton
- Sydney
- Liverpool
- Parramatta
The RTO’s website accepts online bookings for the updated code of the course.
How Much is a White Card Course?
The price of a white card course may vary depending on the Registered Training Organisation. Accredited Short Courses (RTO NO 21903) offers regular training for the current CPCWHS1001 – Prepare to work safely in the construction industry at only $140.
How Long is a White Card Course?
WHS regulators require a white card course to last at least 6 hours. Accredited Short Courses (RTO NO 21903) complies with this and provides additional 15 minutes for the pre-registration and 30 minutes for the lunch break.
Is there a Specific Mode of Delivery for a White Card Course?
Most of the WHS regulators require face-to-face training for a white card course. Accredited Short Courses (RTO NO 21903) follows this requirement in its locations throughout Australia.
When does a White Card Course Release a Card?
Release of the white card is available after completing the course. A trainer of Accredited Short Courses (RTO NO 21903) issues a Statement of Training after successfully assessing the enrollee. It is valid for 60 days while SafeWork NSW generates the white card.
The same company also provides a digital Statement of Training in CPCWHS1001- Prepare to work safely in the construction industry. The organisation emails it after 7 pm on the same day of the course completion or the next business schedule.
When is the Expiry of the White Card Obtained from the Course?
The code and local WHS regulations state that white cards do not expire. But, the law requires a re-enrollment in a white card course for those who have stopped doing construction work for 2 years.Â
What does the White Card Look Like?
Since each local WHS regulator processes the white card in its territory, white cards don’t look the same throughout Australia. But it contains the following information:
- Logo of the local government
- Name of the territoryÂ
- Name of the construction worker
- Issue Date
- Date of Birth
- RTO Number of the Organisation that provided the white card course
- Card number
Before the white cards, local regulators released other types of cards.
What Other Document can a White Card Course Release?Â
Some territories release the following types of cards that the law recognises as an equivalent of white cards:
- Western Australia blue cards
- Queensland blue cards
- Victorian red cards
Construction workers with valid versions of the above cards do not need to obtain a new white card.
Conclusion
There is a lot to know about white card course. It is part of Safework’s national policy for work health and safety that the Commonwealth and local regulators enforce. Completion of this training is required for those who will carry out construction work and those who have stopped doing it for 2 years. Registered Training Organisations, such as the Accredited Short Courses (RTO NO 21903), deliver the white card course nationwide. It contains important information to provide enrollees with knowledge of basic construction work, laws, hazards, and risks. Accredited Short Courses (RTO NO 21903) offers face-to-face training of this unit at only $140. Competent students will earn a statement of training, a digital certificate, and a white card. Other territories have other colours of cards that the law recognises as equivalent to a white card.
