White card training Melbourne is one of the most commonly completed training courses in the construction industry. In fact, it is a requirement for anyone working in a construction zone.
Please note this page is for informational purposes only as AlertForce does not currently offer the white card in Melbourne.
All staff, including supervisors and tradespersons, need to complete this training before entering a construction site. If you work in the construction industry, you should understand your legal requirement. Here are the most frequently asked questions about white cards.
What Is the Definition of White Card Training in Melbourne?
According to WorkSafe VIC, the white card is required before working or setting foot on a construction site. It is also often called construction induction training. These requirements also apply to other states and areas throughout Australia, not just Victoria.
Who needs to obtain a white card? Owner builders whose buildings become workplaces need to obtain the card. The card is also required for the following individuals:
- People who work on a construction site
- Site managers and supervisors on construction sites
- All persons who need to access construction sites
- All persons whose employment requires entry to construction sites
These courses are a mandatory legal requirement for anyone involved in the construction industry. To obtain the necessary qualification to work on a construction site, you need to enrol in a course offered through a registered training organisation (RTO).
How Long Does a White Card Course VIC Last?
White cards don’t expire. Under the current OHS laws, the card remains valid indefinitely. After you complete the course, you receive a statement of attainment.
The statement of attainment acts as proof that you’ve completed the necessary induction course. The card comes in the mail. Until you receive the card, you can use the statement to enter construction sites throughout Australia.
How Long Before You Need to Retake the White Card Course in Melbourne?
If you haven’t worked in the construction industry for two or more years, you should retake the course. Refresher courses are not available. After you have completed the training again, you will receive a new statement of attainment and a new card in the mail.
What Do You Do During White Card Training in Melbourne?
White card training is completed face-to-face at nationally recognised facilities, such as AlertForce. Approved training organisations cover the following information during the training session:
- Worker rights and responsibilities under the OHS Act
- Understanding the most common hazards and risks on a construction site
- Basic risk management principles, including how to complete risk assessments
- The standard behaviour for workers on construction sites
The goal of the training is to give workers more awareness about the most common safety hazards that they may face on a construction site. This awareness should help reduce the occurrence of workplace-related injuries, which are often the result of neglect and lack of safety precautions.
The program often includes a combination of slideshows and videos to help demonstrate common hazards. Classroom activities are also included to provide active demonstrations of different scenarios. When the course is over, participants complete a short assessment to verify that they understood the course material.
Some facilities offer these courses through online programs. However, face-to-face training offers many advantages compared to online white card training:
- Online programs are not nationally recognised by the authorities
- WorkSafe VIC inspectors look for cards issued by online organisations
- In-person courses provide updated information and safety awareness suggestions
- Workers tend to retain more information during in-person sessions
- Online programs do not offer practical training
- In-person sessions often result in more knowledge through active participation
Online programs are not recognised or effective. If you want to work in the construction industry, you need to complete the in-person training.
How Much Does the White Card Training in Melbourne Cost?
The cost of the programs varies. Some organisations charge very low rates for online programs. However, face-to-face programs often cost around $150 to $200.
The course is completed in a single day and meets the competency for national and state regulations. However, the exact duration can vary from six hours to eight hours depending on the number of participants.
No prerequisites are needed to enrol in the program. You do not need to complete any other courses. In fact, this is often the first OHS training course that workers complete before starting employment in the construction industry.
The only requirements include the enrolment fee and the necessary identification. When you arrive for the training, you need to verify that you are a citizen and at least 14 years of age. To provide this proof, bring a birth certificate, citizenship certificate, or driver’s license.
As mentioned, this induction program is required according to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. If you do not complete this training, you cannot legally enter a construction site. To meet your requirements, enrol in a white card training program in Melbourne with a suitable RTO.
