Those that work in the Australian construction industry (or plan to) have probably heard that having a white card is an essential part of the role. It’s proof that you’ve completed the mandatory ‘CPCCWHS1001 – Prepare to work safely in the construction industry’ training, and it’s required on all construction jobs, regardless of the state or territory.
When it comes to white cards, there’s one question that comes up over and over again: does a white card expire? The short answer is ‘no’, but there are exceptions to this. Here’s how it really works, including rules for each state and territory.
Do white cards expire in Australia?
Officially, white cards don’t have an expiration date. Once you’ve completed your General Construction Induction training, you will receive your white card which is considered valid across every Australian state and territory. However, there’s an important caveat to this: if you haven’t worked in construction for two consecutive years, your white card is considered no longer valid. This is regardless of the state or territory you got your white card in. If your white card becomes invalid from a lack of use, you’ll need to retake the full white card course.
Where to renew a white card
As white cards don’t technically expire, there’s no renewal process. You can’t simply complete a refresher course, and will instead need to retake the whole course. If you’ve simply lost your card, contact the RTO (Registered Training Organisation) that you obtained your card through. They’re usually able to reissue a replacement white card for a small fee.
When does a white card expire – state-by-state
While the overarching rules are national, some states have slightly different processes. Here’s what you need to know.
Does a white card expire NSW?
In New South Wales, white cards are issued by SafeWork NSW. The card does not expire, and you don’t need to renew it as long as you’ve worked in construction within the last two years. If you’re returning to the construction industry after two or more years away, you’ll need to redo the full course through a SafeWork NSW-accredited RTO.
Does a white card expire VIC?
In Victoria, white cards are governed by WorkSafe Victoria. The state of Victoria recognises white cards from all other states and territories. Just like everywhere else, your white card doesn’t expire, but if you haven’t carried out construction work for two or more years, WorkSafe considers it invalid. You must complete the full course again through a WorkSafe-approved RTO if you’ve been out of the industry for two or more years.
Does a white card expire QLD?
Queensland’s construction card system is managed by WorkSafe Queensland. The rules mirror the national model, where your white card doesn’t technically expire, but you must redo the training if you haven’t worked in construction for two years. Queensland uses a slightly different system from other states, where the regulator (not the RTO) issues the physical white card after you complete your training. As such, replacing a lost or damaged card is usually straightforward, as you can apply directly through WorkSafe Queensland.
Does a white card expire TAS?
WorkSafe Tasmania manages the White Card system in the state, and Tasmanian White Cards follow the same national model: no expiry date, but the two-year inactivity rule still applies. This means you won’t need to renew your card as long as you’ve been working in construction within the last two years. If your card is lost or damaged, WorkSafe Tasmania cannot replace it, so you’ll need to reach out to the issuing RTO.
Does a white card expire WA?
Western Australia used to issue a “blue card,” but this system has now been replaced with the national white card. In WA, the card is overseen by WorkSafe WA, and the rules are consistent with the rest of Australia: WA white cards don’t expire, but after two or more years away from construction work, you must redo the course. Replacement cards (when damaged or lost) must be obtained from the RTO that provided your original training.
Does a white card expire SA?
In South Australia, White Cards are issued by SafeWork SA, and they don’t have an expiration date, however, the card becomes invalid if you’ve been outside the construction industry for two consecutive years. If you misplace your card, you’ll need to contact the RTO that trained and issued it, as SafeWork SA doesn’t provide direct replacements.
Does a white card expire ACT?
Access Canberra oversees white cards in the ACT, and like every other jurisdiction, they don’t expire but can become invalid if you haven’t performed construction work in over two years. The ACT also previously issued “red cards”, which are no longer recognised and must be replaced by completing the current white card training.If your existing white card is misplaced, you’ll need to contact the RTO that issued it.
Does a white card expire NT?
In the Northern Territory, NT WorkSafe is responsible for recognising White Cards, and the rules are the same as the national approach. White cards do not expire in the NT, but if you haven’t performed any construction tasks for more than two years, the card is no longer considered valid and you will need to complete the entire course again. Replacements for lost, damaged, or illegible cards must be obtained through your issuing RTO.
A white card is technically a lifetime credential, but its recognition relies heavily on you staying active in the construction industry. If you’re unsure whether yours is still valid, it’s always better to check before stepping onto a worksite. If it’s been more than two years since you worked in the industry, you’ll need to obtain a new white card. Express Online Training offers online white card courses for all Australian states and territories.
