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On 14 November 2008, WorkCover NSW commenced recognising occupational health and safety construction induction qualifications obtained in South Australia, known as the ‘white card’, as proof of completion of construction induction training equivalent to WorkCover’s OHS General Induction for Construction Work in NSW course.
This reform is the latest initiative of a larger program to harmonise occupational health and safety systems between the states, and is in addition to recognition of the construction induction qualifications obtained in Queensland (‘blue card’) and Victoria (‘red card’ or ‘construction induction card’), which commenced on 1 January 2007.
As a result of this latest move, current South Australian white cards, along with current Queensland blue cards and Victorian construction induction red cards, are accepted as being equivalent to WorkCover NSW construction induction certificates through an exemption order under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 (OHS Regulation 2001).
Construction workers with a current white card (SA), a current blue card (QLD) and red card/construction induction card (VIC) are not required to undertake general health and safety induction training for construction work in NSW and are not required to obtain a WorkCover NSW construction induction certificate.
WorkCover inspectors will regard these cards as evidence of meeting the requirements for general health and safety induction training for construction work under clause 217 of the OHS Regulation 2001.
White Cards (SA)
White Cards are issued by SafeWork SA upon submission of records showing that an individual has been provided with training which meets the requirements of the National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work (National Code). Training can be delivered only by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in accordance with the provisions outlined in the National Code.
White cards are uniquely numbered. This number incorporates the identification number of the RTO that was responsible for conducting the training. The white card must also carry the SafeWork SA logo as shown below:
White cards must also include the:
- Date of issue;
- Date of birth of the card holder;
- Name and signature of the card holder.
Sample white card
 
Blue cards (QLD)
Blue cards are issued by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland following the completion of the 30215QLD – course in general safety induction (construction industry) course.
Blue cards are uniquely numbered and must carry the Queensland Government Department of Industrial Relations logo as shown below.
Blue cards must also include, the:
- date of issue· name and signature of the card holder
- name of registered training organisation and national provider code
- signature of the person who conducted the course, or their representative.
Red cards (VIC)
Red cards were issued in Victoria upon successful completion of the Victorian Foundations for Safety construction industry basic induction course – OHS to 30 June 2008.
Red cards are uniquely numbered and must carry the Foundations for Safety logo shown below.
Red cards must also include the following information:
- date of issue or completion
- name of the card holder
- name of the training provider who conducted the course.
Red cards may vary in colour and presentation but must contain the Foundations for Safety logo.
WorkCover NSW will continue to mutually recognise "red cards" issued to Victorian residents.
Construction induction cards (VIC)
On 1 July 2008, WorkSafe Victoria commenced the delivery of general induction training under the National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work.
Victorian construction induction cards are uniquely numbered and must carry the WorkSafe Victoria logo as shown below.
 
Victorian construction induction cards must also include the following information:
- date of issue
- card registration number
- name, date of birth and signature of the card holder.
Mutual recognition principles
NSW Construction Induction Certificates are recognised in South Australia, Queensland and Victoria. The recognition of white, blue and red construction induction cards in NSW only applies to general OHS induction training for construction work.
Principal contractors and employers must ensure that work activity and site specific OHS induction training is undertaken as required by the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 and any other obligations imposed by the OHS and workers compensation legislation.
Under the mutual recognition principles a person will only be able to claim to have their general health and safety induction training qualification mutually recognised where they have successfully complied with the general safety induction requirements for the state in which they ordinarily reside. By way of example:
- A person ordinarily a resident in NSW should undertake and complete general safety induction training as required and regulated by WorkCover NSW;
- The provision of any such training must be delivered by a trainer approved by WorkCover NSW;
- A person ordinarily a resident in NSW should not complete a course in any other state instead of the NSW course or in lieu of the NSW course;
- Any person, or organisation seeking to deliver safety induction training to the residents of each state, or all four states, must be recognised or approved to deliver training in the state in which the training is to be delivered;
- A registered training organisation, for the purposes of Queensland’s, Victoria’s or South Australia’s regulatory requirements for the course, should not deliver nor advertise to deliver that state’s course to persons ordinarily resident in NSW as equivalent to or in lieu of the NSW course.
Contact us
Information regarding the mutual recognition can be obtained by phoning WorkCover on 13 10 50 or by email.
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