White card training is mandatory in the construction industry. It provides workers with the skills and knowledge needed to avoid common worksite injuries and accidents.
The training is also called construction induction training, as it covers the recommended best practices for identifying and reducing or eliminating safety hazards.
If you work in the construction industry or need to enter a construction site, you are required to complete this necessary training.
What Is White Card Training in Brisbane?
CPCWHS1001 white card training course is a mandatory program for those who work or enter construction sites. It teaches the basic skills and knowledge for identifying, assessing, and preventing common hazards and dangers. Individuals who typically require this unit of competency include:
- Tradespeople
- Labourers
- Supervisors
- Managers
- Surveyors
Before you set foot on a construction site, you need to complete the program through one of the approved training organisations, such as AlertForce.
After completing the program, you receive your white card, which allows you to enter construction sites in almost any Australian state or territory. The following areas offer reciprocal recognition of the card:
- ACT (Canberra)
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
White card training is required for those who plan to obtain a working holiday visa. New South Wales and Victoria also require face-to-face training. While you can complete online training in other Australian states and territories, construction trade groups still recommend in-person training.
How Long Does a White Card Last in Brisbane?
The general construction induction card remains valid if you continue working in the construction industry. If you stop working construction for a period of two years or longer, you need to retake the program.
Even if you continue working in the construction industry, most trade groups, companies, and safety organisations recommend retaking the white card course QLD every two years.
The new certificate replaces the former blue card. If you already have a blue card, you may not need to complete the CPCCWHS1001 program, unless that program is a prerequisite for another program. For example, the CPCCDE3015A Remove Friable Asbestos course requires you to complete the newer course.
What Do You Do During a White Card Course in Brisbane?
The exact course content varies, but it needs to comply with the standards set by the WHS Act. The primary purpose of the program is to give workers the skills needed to reduce or eliminate workplace hazards. The core content includes:
- Identifying common hazards
- Assessing the hazards
- Reducing the risk of injury
- Responding to health and safety incidents
The course often includes videos and slideshows along with practical instruction. At the end of the program, attendees take an assessment test. After you successfully complete the assessment, you receive a statement of attainment. The white card is delivered via post.
The statements of attainment remain valid for 60 days, but the induction cards typically arrive within 30 days. If you do not receive your card or you need to replace it, SafeWork Australia provides online application forms.
To replace a card, you need to provide the details as they appear on your card, including the exact white card number.
How Long Is a White Card Course in Brisbane?
A typical course includes a full day of training. As mentioned, self-paced online programs are also available, but face-to-face programs provide in-depth and hands-on instruction. In fact, many employers require in-person training.
The WHS Act specifies that the program needs to last at least six hours. The duration can vary based on several factors, including the content of the course and the number of attendees.
Typically, a larger class size results in a slightly longer program, especially when attendees ask extra questions or require additional instruction.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a White Card in Brisbane?
As with other safety training programs, the cost varies. The average cost is about $120 to $150. It may even cost more in some regions. At AlertForce, the cost is currently $120 per person.
The enrolment fee is one requirement for attending the program. Attendees also need to be at least 14 years old and possess proper identification. Driver’s licenses, birth certificates, and citizenship certificates are valid forms of ID.
The goal of the training is to protect you from the dangers of a work site. One out of five work-related deaths occur on work sites. While many people assume that the induction course is only for labourers and tradespeople, it is a requirement for anyone who plans on setting foot in a construction site.
Do not forget that white card training is mandatory for those working or entering a construction site. The course only takes one day to complete and fulfils your OHS requirements for safely working in the construction industry. Enrol in an approved course today to obtain your white card.
