White Card: the card to work on building sites
Australia's compulsory construction card, in numbers. One day of training, valid nationwide.
Updated 2 November 2026
≈ $65–120
for the course, depending on provider and state
1 day
of training, classroom or online depending on the state
8/8
states and territories recognise it
2 years
without construction work and it's no longer valid
≈ 6 h
of training, assessment included
Required
to work on a building site, even for a day
Course format by state
A card from one state is valid everywhere. But each state decides how the course is run:
| State | Course format |
|---|---|
| NSW | Classroom, or live video with a trainer depending on the provider |
| VIC | Classroom only: online courses aren't accepted |
| QLD | Classroom, or live video with a trainer |
| WA | Online available |
| TAS | Online available |
Heading to Melbourne for work? Do it in a classroom: a White Card done online won't get you a card in Victoria.
The jobs it opens
Labourer
The most common building site job on a WHV
Demolition, site cleaning
Clearing, sorting, preparing the site
Trades assistant
Carpenter, tiler, painter…
Traffic control
With a traffic control ticket on top
Mines and big projects
With other tickets on top
Your 88 days
Construction counts in regional areas
Get it in 4 steps
Pick a registered training organisation (RTO) that runs the CPCWHS1001 course.
Check that the format (classroom, video, online) is accepted in your state.
Do the day of training and the assessment, with your passport.
Get your card and keep it on you: every site will ask for it.
The 3 traps
Online courses in Victoria
They're not accepted: you'd pay for a card you won't get.
The 2-year rule
2 years in a row without construction work and the card is no longer valid: you redo the whole course.
The wrong code
Check the course is CPCWHS1001 and the provider is a registered RTO.
Find a building site job with the app
Job offers, 88-day tracking and budget, all in one app.
Frequently asked questions
Is my White Card valid in every state?
Yes. A card issued in one state is recognised in all the others, as long as it's still valid.
Can I do it online?
It depends on the state: possible in WA and Tasmania, live video in NSW and Queensland depending on the provider, never in Victoria.
How long is the course?
One day, often around 6 hours, assessment included.
Does the White Card expire?
It has no end date, but it's no longer valid if you go 2 years in a row without construction work. You then redo the course.
Does construction count for my 88 days?
Yes: construction is specified work, as long as the site is in an eligible regional area (postcode).
I lost my card, what do I do?
Ask for a replacement from the state body that issued it, such as Service NSW or WorkSafe Queensland.