Induction for Construction Work (White Card)

Frequently Asked Questions

Information for workers

What is a 'White Card' or 'White Card training'?

'White Card' is a term used to describe the plastic card issued by a Registered Training Organisation indicating that a person has undertaken general induction training for construction work, also known as 'White card training'. People who work on construction sites in Australia must undertake general induction training or 'White Card training' and have evidence of their attendance from the course before they are permitted to commence work on a construction site.

What is Construction work?

Construction work means any work carried out in connection with the construction, alteration, conversion, fitting out, commissioning, renovation, repair, maintenance, refurbishment, demolition, decommissioning or dismantling of a structure.

Where can I go to get trained in construction induction and get a 'White Card'?

The National Register for the Vocational Education and Training sector's website lists Registered Training Organisations that have approval to deliver 'White Card' training. The course is called 'CPCCOHS1001A - Work safely in the construction industry.' If you don't always have computer access, you can look in the Yellow Pages under Registered Training Organisations.

Can I do an online training course?

The construction industry in South Australia, through the SA Construction Industry Occupational Health and Safety Committee manages and administers White Card training with the Registered Training Organisations. The Code states that the course 'has a nominal duration of 6 hours face-to-face delivery'. The Code also states that 'general induction may be repeated when the person with control of the construction work decides that there is a need for re-training'.

The SA Construction Industry Occupational Health and Safety Committee and the Construction Industry have expressed a strong view that online training for this course is not acceptable to the industry in South Australia and SafeWork SA supports the industry's views.

SafeWork SA endorses the National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work (the Code) and expects the construction industry to comply with the Code.

Construction site managers in South Australia may choose to refuse entry to a person, or require a person to be re-trained if they decide that there is a need for re-training.

If I completed online White Card training will it be recognised in South Australia?

It is up to the Construction Site Manager to decide whether or not to accept a card issued by any jurisdiction.

Construction site managers in South Australia have the right to refuse entry to a person, and require a person to be re-trained if they decide that there is a need for re-training.

SafeWork SA is bound by 'Mutual Recognition Principles' to accept all cards issued by any jurisdiction, therefore a SafeWork SA Inspector will accept any card onsite.

Does the requirement for a photograph to appear on a 'White Card' mean that all those issued since it started in 2008 need to be re-issued with a photograph?

No. All 'white cards' issued prior 1 July 2011, remain valid and should be accepted at any Australian construction site.

Does the 'White Card' have an expiry date?

No. However, under the Code of Practice an employer (or person in control of a site) can require a person to undertake refresher training if they consider it necessary.

I've lost my 'White Card'. How do I get a replacement?

You will need to go back to the Registered Training Organisation where you completed your training and ask for a replacement card. The Registered Training Organisation will issue you with the new style of card (with your photograph) however the card will show the original date of issue. The Registered Training Organisation may charge you a fee for the replacement card.

I've heard that there are different levels of induction training. What does this mean?

The Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work describes three types of induction training:

1. General induction training - the course CPCCOHS1001A - Work safely in the construction industry, commonly called 'White Card' training. This is entry-level, basic construction safety training.
2. Site specific induction training - training organised by a particular employer or work site to provide participants with knowledge of health and safety issues and safe work practices specific to that site.
3. Task specific induction training - training for a specific task or type of work, such as high risk construction work. This training assists the participant to gain the knowledge needed to undertake a particular task safely.

In addition to holding a 'White Card' to show that a person has undertaken general induction training for construction work, an employer or person in control of a site will require a worker to undertake site specific training or task specific training.

The Construction Site Manager has the right to require a person to be retrained if they decide that there is a need for retraining.

Information about the Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work

An Approved Code of Practice provides practical guidance for meeting your safety obligations under the law. The requirements for construction induction are set out in the Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work.

South Australia has adopted the Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work (the Code) as an Approved Code of Practice. The Code was approved by the Minister for Industrial Relations and gazetted on 15 August 2008.

Adoption of the Code makes it simpler for workers and the construction industry to move between states by creating nationally consistent requirements for construction site safety induction training. The Code replaces previous SA Construction Industry Common Site Safety Induction Course, commonly known within the industry as 'SA Green Card'.

Who does the Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work apply to?

The Code applies to anyone involved in construction work especially if they:

• carry out construction work (eg. employees, contractors, labour-hire workers)
• have control of construction work (eg. employers, self-employed persons, principal contractors, main contractors, sub-contractors)
• have control of construction projects (eg. principal contractors, project managers, main contractors, builders, employers, self employed persons)

Information about changes to the administration of 'White Card' in SA

What are the recent changes to the administration and issue of construction induction 'White Cards'?

On 1 July 2011, SafeWork SA returned the responsibility for the administration of 'White Cards' to the Registered Training Organisations that deliver construction induction training. This means that SafeWork SA no longer manages a database of card holders or arranges card printing for Registered Training Organisations.

I've heard that 'White Card' has been 'handed back' to industry. What does that mean?

Prior to 2008, when the 'Green Card' was issued in SA, Registered Training Organisations that delivered the training, along with the Construction Industry Training Board managed the administration and issue of cards.

When the National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work was introduced in SA in 2008, as an interim measure, SafeWork SA managed the database and cards issued. On the 1 July 2011, management of 'white card' training was handed back to Industry at its request.

What role does Government have then in 'White Card' training?

In line with new nationally consistent Work Health and Safety Regulations that are being introduced across Australia, there are certain requirements that a Registered Training Organisation must meet in order to fulfil its obligations in relation to construction induction training. SafeWork SA is the government agency that administers occupational health and safety laws in this state and regulates induction training. The Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology continue to administer the training quality requirements. SafeWork SA and The Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology work together in relation to auditing Registered Training Organisations that deliver 'White Card' training.

Does SafeWork SA manage a database of people who hold construction induction White Cards in SA?

No. Individual Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) keep their own trainee records.

What is the Construction Industry Training Board's role?

The Construction Industry Training Board assists in promoting the construction industry and increasing the skills of Australian construction workers, by subsidising (or partially funding) activities associated with training people to work in, and contribute to, the construction industry.

When the new national health and safety legislation is introduced, will this change the 'White Card' requirements again?

There will be no changes as the current requirements for 'White Cards' are consistent with the proposed draft legislation and the Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work.

Information for Registered Training Organisations

I am a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and wish to commence training people in 'White Card' in South Australia. What do I need to do?

The first step for an RTO is to obtain the appropriate unit 'CPCCOHS1001A - Work safely in the construction industry' on scope in South Australia. You should contact the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology's Quality Branch to start the process.

When approval to deliver training is received, you should contact SafeWork SA's Help Centre on 1300 365 255 to obtain information about meeting SafeWork SA's quality and administrative requirements. In the first instance, you will be sent a document to fill in and sign a declaration to the effect that you will issue cards and undertake your obligations in line with the National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work.

A Registered Training Organisation can produce the new cards themselves or engage a card printing firm to do this for them. SafeWork SA will provide information about card base materials, layout standards and printing options.

Where to go for further information