If you work on a construction site in Australia, you are required to hold a general construction induction card — commonly known as a White Card. This course (CPCWHS1001 – Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry) is the nationally recognised training you need to complete to obtain your Queensland White Card.

The course covers work health and safety legislative requirements, construction hazards and risk controls, WHS communication and reporting processes, and incident and emergency response procedures. The assessment is mandated by Workplace Health & Safety Queensland (WHSQ) and includes written, oral, and practical components.

On successful completion, you will receive a Statement of Attainment which will include your unique White Card identification number immediately. Your physical White Card will be mailed to you the next business day.

This course is delivered via live virtual classroom (Zoom), available 7 days a week. Join from anywhere in Queensland via a real-time connected lesson where you interact with your trainer and other participants. Sessions are capped at 20 learners.

You must have your own PPE available during the session for the practical assessment: hard hat, safety glasses or goggles, high visibility vest/shirt/jacket, and ear plugs or muffs. These can be owned or borrowed for the day.

You will also need a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and internet access to join the Zoom session and complete your written assessment.

This course is for anyone who needs to work on a construction site in Queensland, including:

• New entrants to the construction industry — apprentices, labourers, and trade assistants starting their first construction role
• Tradespeople — electricians, plumbers, carpenters, tilers, painters, and other licensed trades who need a White Card to access construction sites
• Subcontractors and sole traders entering the construction industry
• Engineers, architects, and project managers who attend construction sites
• Delivery drivers, cleaners, and other workers who regularly access construction sites
• Interstate workers who need a Queensland-issued White Card (White Cards are nationally recognised — a card issued in any state is valid in all states)

WHS Legislative Requirements

• Queensland Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and WHS Regulation 2011
• Duties of PCBUs, officers, workers, and other persons at the workplace
• WHS consultation, cooperation, and coordination obligations
• Codes of Practice and Australian Standards relevant to construction

Construction Hazards & Risk Control

• Identifying common construction hazards — working at heights, electrical, manual handling, plant and equipment, hazardous chemicals, confined spaces, excavation, and demolition
• Risk assessment — likelihood and consequence
• Hierarchy of Control — elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE
• Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) for high risk construction work
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) selection, fitting, use, and maintenance

WHS Communication & Reporting

• Safety signs and symbols on construction sites
• WHS consultation processes — toolbox talks, safety meetings, health and safety representatives
• Hazard reporting procedures and documentation
• Rights and responsibilities — right to cease unsafe work, duty to report

Incident & Emergency Response

• Emergency procedures — evacuation, assembly points, fire response
• Incident and near-miss reporting
• Notifiable incidents and regulator reporting obligations
• First aid and emergency contacts on construction sites

Practical Assessment

To enrol in this course, you will need:

• To be located in Queensland
• Three matching original evidence of identity (EOI) documents (at least one must be photographic, such as a driver's licence or passport)
• A level 2 English Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skill level, use our free LLN Tool to evaluate your abilities
• A Unique Student Identifier (USI), find or get your USI here
• A computer, tablet, or smartphone with a webcam and internet access to join the Zoom session
• Personal headphones (recommended)
• Access to PPE for the practical assessment — you must have the following available during the session: hard hat, safety glasses or goggles, high visibility vest/shirt/jacket, and ear plugs or muffs (owned or borrowed)

There are no formal prerequisite qualifications or prior construction experience required for this course.

This course includes a practical PPE demonstration during which you will need to:

• Demonstrate the correct fitting, adjustment, and use of Personal Protective Equipment including a hard hat, safety glasses, high visibility clothing, and hearing protection (ear plugs or muffs)
• Participate in oral assessment questions with your trainer

This course does not involve heavy physical activity, floor-based tasks, or manual handling. The practical component is a supervised PPE fitting demonstration only.

If you have any condition that may affect your ability to participate, please contact us at admin@nexatraining.au before enrolling so we can discuss reasonable adjustments that may be available.

You must supply your own PPE for the practical assessment component. Required items: hard hat, safety glasses or goggles, high visibility vest/shirt/jacket, and ear plugs or muffs. These can be owned or borrowed for the session.

All training materials and a copy of the Queensland Work Health and Safety Act 2011 are provided through the learning platform.

All RTOs must use the mandated assessment provided by Workplace Health & Safety Queensland (WHSQ) to determine competency. The assessment has three components:

Written component: A knowledge quiz of 52 questions covering WHS legislation, hazard identification, risk controls, communication processes, and emergency procedures, plus a completed hazard report form. The written assessment includes multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer questions.

Oral component: 12 oral assessment questions conducted by your trainer, covering applied WHS knowledge and your ability to identify and explain construction hazards, controls, and reporting requirements.

Practical component: A PPE demonstration where you show correct selection, fitting, adjustment, and use of Personal Protective Equipment including hard hat, safety glasses, high visibility clothing, and hearing protection.

The assessment is open-book — you can refer to your training materials and your copy of the Queensland Work Health and Safety Act 2011 during the written and oral components.

The rules regarding how this course is offered are governed by Workplace Health & Safety Queensland (WHSQ), which is the regulating body. One of these requirements is that RPL is NOT to be offered to candidates of this course.

For further information, please contact Nexa Training by emailing us at admin@nexatraining.au

What is a White Card?

A White Card (formally a General Construction Induction Card) is proof that you have completed the nationally recognised safety training required to work on a construction site in Australia. You present your White Card at site inductions before starting work. It is a legal requirement — you cannot perform construction work without one.

Is the White Card valid in all states?

Yes. A White Card issued in any Australian state or territory is valid nationwide. A Queensland-issued White Card allows you to work on construction sites anywhere in Australia.

Do I have to be in Queensland to do this course?

Yes. Queensland White Card training must be completed by candidates located in Queensland. If you are in another state, you will need to complete the White Card course through a provider registered in your state.

How long does the course take?

The course takes approximately 4.5–6 hours depending on group size. It is completed in a single session — there is no homework or pre-course learning.

When do I get my White Card?

On successful completion, you will receive your Statement of Attainment which includes your unique White Card identification number immediately — you can use this Statement of Attainment right away for site inductions. Your physical White Card will be mailed to you the next business day.

Is the assessment hard?

The assessment is open-book, meaning you can refer to your training materials and the Queensland WHS Act during the written and oral components. The practical component is a supervised PPE fitting demonstration. Your trainer will cover everything you need to know during the training session before you sit the assessment.

What PPE do I need?

You must have the following items available during your session: hard hat, safety glasses or goggles, high visibility vest/shirt/jacket, and ear plugs or muffs. These can be owned or borrowed for the day.

What ID do I need to bring?

You need three matching original evidence of identity (EOI) documents, and at least one must be photographic (such as a driver's licence or passport). A full list of acceptable identity documents will be provided when you enrol. No reasonable adjustment can be made to the identification requirements — this is mandated by WHSQ.

Does my White Card expire?

A White Card does not have a printed expiry date. However, if you have been out of the construction industry for a continuous period of two years or more, your White Card is no longer current and you will need to complete the course again before returning to construction work. If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can apply for a replacement through Workplace Health & Safety Queensland.

Can international students on a student visa complete the White Card course?

Yes. A person holding an eligible Student Visa can complete the CPCWHS1001 White Card course under the Education Services for Overseas Students (Exempt Courses) Instrument 2021. You must be physically located in Queensland at the time of your training and assessment. The same enrolment requirements apply, including three original EOI documents and a USI.

I have an old Blue Card — do I still need a White Card?

The old Queensland Construction Blue Card is still valid as long as the holder has not been out of the construction industry for a continuous period of two years or more. If you have been out of the industry for two or more years, or if your Blue Card has been lost and cannot be replaced, you will need to complete the current White Card course (CPCWHS1001).

I have lost my White Card — how do I get a replacement?

If you completed your White Card training with Nexa Training, contact us at admin@nexatraining.au and we can assist with a replacement. If you completed your training with another RTO, you will need to contact them directly or apply through Workplace Health & Safety Queensland with your Statement of Attainment as evidence.

How much does the White Card course cost?

The course is $100 (GST free). This includes all training, assessment, and your White Card.

Can I do the White Card course online without a live trainer?

No. WHSQ requires that the White Card course be delivered with a live trainer via a virtual classroom or equivalent connected real-time delivery. Fully self-paced online White Card courses are not permitted in Queensland.