You can’t legally work on a construction site in Queensland without a White Card. Whether you’re starting your first construction job, moving into civil work, beginning an apprenticeship or changing careers, completing White Card training is one of the first steps towards getting on site.
Civil Safety (RTO 32381) delivers nationally recognised White Card training at multiple locations throughout Queensland, including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville, Mackay, Cairns, Weipa, Mareeba, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton and the Sunshine Coast.
This guide explains what you need to get your White Card in Queensland, why the training must be completed face-to-face and how to find a training session near you.
Getting your White Card in Queensland
Queensland's White Card system has some differences from other states, particularly around how the training is delivered.
The nationally recognised unit you need to complete is CPCWHS1001 – Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry.
What do you need to get a White Card?
To complete White Card training in Queensland, you’ll generally need:
To complete CPCWHS1001 - Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry
Valid photo identification
Sufficient English literacy and numeracy skills to participate in the training and assessment
No previous construction experience or qualifications
There are no formal prerequisites for the unit, making the White Card a suitable starting point if you’re new to the construction industry.
In Queensland, the card is officially known as a General Construction Induction Training (GCIT) card. However, it is commonly called a White Card by employers, workers and the construction industry.
Why does White Card training need to be face-to-face?
Queensland requires White Card training to be delivered face-to-face by an appropriately approved training provider.
This means you should be cautious of websites advertising completely self-paced online White Card courses for Queensland. Online-only training does not meet Queensland's requirements for General Construction Induction Training.
During the course, you’ll need to demonstrate practical aspects of working safely in construction, including identifying hazards and understanding the correct use of personal protective equipment.
Civil Safety delivers White Card training face-to-face at training locations throughout Queensland, providing a straightforward way to complete your training and assessment.
Once you successfully complete the course, you’ll receive your nationally recognised Statement of Attainment, and your White Card will be issued through the appropriate process.
A Queensland White Card does not expire, although you must maintain construction industry knowledge and comply with any relevant state or site requirements.
For information about White Card requirements in other states and territories, see our national White Card guide.
White Card Training Locations in Queensland
Brisbane is one of Queensland's largest construction markets, with ongoing residential, commercial, civil and infrastructure projects creating demand for trained workers.
Civil Safety delivers regular face-to-face White Card training in Brisbane at our Brisbane training facility.
Check our White Card course page for upcoming Brisbane course dates, availability and pricing.
The Gold Coast continues to experience significant residential, commercial and infrastructure development, making White Card training an important first step for people looking to enter the local construction industry.
Civil Safety provides face-to-face White Card training on the Gold Coast at our Gold Coast training facility.
Townsville is a major regional centre for construction, civil works, infrastructure and industrial activity in North Queensland.
Civil Safety delivers White Card training in Townsville, allowing local workers to complete their General Construction Induction Training without travelling to Brisbane or another major centre.
Cairns has ongoing construction and infrastructure activity across residential, commercial, civil and tourism-related projects.
Civil Safety provides face-to-face White Card training in Cairns at our Cairns training facility.
Mackay is an important regional hub for construction, civil works, infrastructure and industries supporting the resources sector.
Civil Safety delivers White Card training in Mackay, giving local workers an accessible way to complete the required construction induction training.
Weipa and the wider Cape York region have ongoing demand for workers across construction, civil, mining and infrastructure-related industries.
Civil Safety provides White Card training in Weipa, helping local workers complete the nationally recognised construction induction unit without having to travel to a major Queensland city.
Mareeba is a key regional centre on the Atherton Tablelands, with workers across construction, civil, infrastructure and primary industries requiring appropriate site safety training.
Civil Safety delivers White Card training in Mareeba through scheduled local sessions.
Bundaberg has an active construction and civil workforce supporting residential, commercial, infrastructure and regional development.
Civil Safety delivers White Card training in Bundaberg through scheduled sessions.
Gladstone is a major industrial and regional centre, with construction, civil, infrastructure and heavy industry providing employment opportunities for workers with the appropriate site qualifications.
Civil Safety provides White Card training in Gladstone, with scheduled sessions available for local workers.
Rockhampton serves as a major regional centre for Central Queensland, with opportunities across construction, civil works, infrastructure and industries supporting the resources sector.
Civil Safety delivers White Card training in Rockhampton, providing local workers with access to face-to-face General Construction Induction Training.
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What happens after you get your White Card?
Your White Card is an important starting point, but it is only one of the qualifications you may need to work in construction.
It can help you meet the basic site entry requirements for roles such as:
Construction labourer
Trade assistant
Apprentice
Civil construction worker
Site support worker
General construction worker
Depending on the role and workplace, you may also need additional qualifications, licences or site-specific inductions.
If you're looking to build a career in construction, the Certificate I in Construction can be a useful next step. Civil Safety also offers a range of construction courses covering additional skills and qualifications as you progress.
How long does a White Card take?
White Card training is generally completed in one day.
The course includes the required training and assessment, with successful participants receiving their nationally recognised Statement of Attainment on completion.
Before attending, make sure you have the required valid photo identification and are prepared to participate in the face-to-face training and assessment.
How to book your White Card course
Getting your White Card doesn't have to be complicated.
Civil Safety delivers face-to-face White Card training throughout Queensland, including:
You can also view upcoming dates, course information and pricing on the White Card course page or contact Civil Safety if you have questions about upcoming sessions or group training.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Workers performing construction work in Queensland generally need to have completed General Construction Induction Training and hold a valid White Card. This applies across a wide range of construction occupations, including labourers, tradespeople, apprentices and supervisors.
White Card training is generally completed in one day. You must successfully complete the required training and assessment to receive your Statement of Attainment.
Queensland requires General Construction Induction Training to be delivered face-to-face. Be careful when considering online-only White Card courses advertised for Queensland.
The training unit CPCWHS1001 - Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry is nationally recognised. However, you should always check the requirements of the state or territory where you intend to work, as local regulatory requirements can differ.
A White Card does not have a standard expiry date. However, if you have not carried out construction work for two or more years, you may need to undertake construction induction training again depending on the circumstances and applicable requirements.
A White Card is a basic construction induction requirement rather than a job qualification by itself. It can help you meet site entry requirements for roles such as construction labourer, trade assistant, apprentice and other entry-level construction positions.
Additional qualifications or licences may be required depending on the job, equipment and workplace.
Civil Safety delivers White Card training at multiple Queensland locations, including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville, Mackay, Cairns, Weipa, Mareeba, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton and the Sunshine Coast.
Use Search by Location to find upcoming sessions near you.