White cards (Construction induction)

The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (section 317) specifies that a person conducting a business or undertaking must not direct or allow a worker to carry out construction work unless:

• the worker has successfully completed general construction induction training; and
• if the worker completed the training more than 2 years previously—the worker has carried out construction work in the preceding 2 years.

Noting the above, the person conducting the business or undertaking must ensure that:

• the worker holds a general construction induction training card (White Card); or
• if the worker has applied for but not yet been issued with a general construction induction training card (White Card), the worker holds a general construction induction training certification (Statement of Attainment), issued within the preceding 60 days.

Workers

Once a person has successfully completed general construction induction training they may apply to Access Canberra for General Construction Induction Card (White Card) . If a worker has applied for a white card and has not been notified of the decision on the application within 60 days of submitting the application, the worker is taken to hold a white card until a decision is made by Access Canberra.

In relation to construction work, workers must:

• keep their general construction induction training card (white card) available for inspection, or
• if awaiting a decision on their application for a general construction induction training card (white card) —keep their general induction training certification available for inspection.

See also: Work Health and Safety (Construction Work Code of Practice) 2018

WorkSafe ACT considers it best practice for owner builders to have a construction induction card, as one way of demonstrating that they have received adequate training in complying with their primary duty of care under the Act.

Access Canberra administers the provision of General Construction Induction Cards (White Cards). For more information about White Cards see the General Construction Induction Card (White Card) page on the Access Canberra website.