The construction industry requires you to have a construction induction card, often referred to as a white card in SA, to work in the industry. You must keep this card on you at all times when working on a construction site.

Your construction induction card remains valid as long as you keep up your competencies; that is you have worked in the construction industry within the last 2 years.

SafeWork SA does not issue, replace or administer white cards. Please do not contact us regarding your white card. We are unable to assist you to obtain a new or replacement card nor are we able to provide you with any details regarding your white card.

SafeWork SA receives a lot of queries regarding white cards so we have compiled the information on this page to help you find the correct contact.

Obtaining a white card

SafeWork SA does not issue white cards.

In order to obtain a white card you need to successfully complete the general induction training course (course reference CPCWHS1001 - Prepare to work safely in the construction industry) which is approved through the Australian Skills Quality Authority. This course provides basic knowledge of:

  • construction work
  • work health and safety laws
  • common site hazards and
  • how to control the associated risks.

The Australian Skills Quality Authority provide a list of training providers who currently offer white card training. You may also like to Google 'white card training Adelaide' or 'white card training South Australia' to find a training provider near you.

This training must be delivered by a Registered Training Organisation. Australian Skills Quality Authority oversees the registration of RTOs. If you have any queries regarding an RTO, please contact ASQA.

The RTO will issue you with a white card once you have successfully completed the training.

Keep a note of your RTO's details and a copy of your white card in your records. You will need this information if you require a replacement card or to update your details. SafeWork SA cannot reissue white cards if you lose it or it gets damaged - you must contact the RTO for a replacement card.

Obtaining a replacement card

SafeWork SA does not issue replacement white cards. White cards are issued by the Registered Training Organisation who originally conducted your white card training. The Australian Skills Quality Authority provide a list of training providers who currently offer white card training.

SafeWork SA does not hold information regarding individual white cards such as card numbers, your training provider or your training history.

If you need a new card or to change your details, you must contact the RTO where you completed your induction training.

Australian Skills Quality Authority oversees the registration of RTOs. If you have any queries regarding an RTO, please contact ASQA.

If you're unable to remember where you did your training or they no longer operate, unfortunately you'll need to retake the training. If you attended TAFE SA to gain a qualification in the construction industry you may have received your white card as part of your course.

If you obtained your white card interstate, you will need to contact the RTO where you completed your training to obtain a new card. White cards are recognised Australia-wide.

Damaged white cards

SafeWork SA does not issue replacement white cards. We do not hold any information regarding individual white cards such as card numbers, your training provider or your training history. White cards are issued by the Registered Training Organisation who conducted your white card training. The Australian Skills Quality Authority provide a list of training providers who currently offer white card training.

If your white card has been damaged to the extent that you feel you require a replacement card please contact the Registered Training Organisation who conducted your white card training. If you attended TAFE SA to gain a qualification in the construction industry you may have received your white card as part of your course. Alternatively, speak to your local RTO to see if they can assist in obtaining a replacement card.

Australian Skills Quality Authority oversees the registration of RTOs. If you have any queries regarding an RTO, please contact ASQA.

Proof of training

Whenever you are on a construction site, you must keep your white card available for inspection. If you no longer have your white card, or you are unable to show proof of training, you will need to attend the induction training course again.

Your PCBU is also required to keep a record of your white card, training and competencies. If they consider it necessary, they may ask you to undertake refresher training, in which case a new card and photo ID will be issued by the RTO.

Construction induction cards obtained interstate

SafeWork SA recognises any construction induction card as long as it is recognised in the issuing state. Depending on the state of issue, this may be called a white card, blue card or red card.

If you obtained your construction induction card interstate, PCBUs in SA are obliged to accept these cards as proof of training under WHS Regulations.

If you require a replacement card, you will need to contact the interstate RTO where you completed your training. Australian Skills Quality Authority oversees the registration of RTOs and have an up-to-date list of training providers across Australia (search code CPCWHS1001). If you have any queries regarding an RTO, please contact ASQA.

As construction induction cards are recognised Australia-wide, you will not have to 'convert' your card to a SA issued card if you have moved to South Australia.

Expiry

Your white card does not expire as long as you keep up your competencies. If you have not worked in the construction industry in the past 2 years, your white card is not considered to be valid and you will need to retrain.

All cards issued after 1 July 2011 have photographic ID. Cards issued before that date, without photo ID, remain valid.

Specialised construction training

The Construction Industry Training Board provides specialised training and skills development relevant to construction work.

Further training may:

  • give you a deeper knowledge of health and safety issues and safe work practices specific to a particular workplace or work site
  • help you understand how to safely undertake a specific task.

Interested in delivering White Card training?

You must be a Registered Training Organisation registered with the Australian Skills Quality Authority before you are able to deliver White Card training. White Card training is VET course CPCWHS1001 - Prepare to work safely in the construction industry.

Further information

Code of Practice for Construction Work