Does a White Card expire in Queensland?
A Queensland White Card doesn’t have an expiry date, and you don’t need to renew it. But there is one rule that catches people out: if you completed your training more than 2 years ago and haven’t done any construction work in the last 2 years, you need to complete the White Card course again before you can go back on site.
Here’s how the rule works, where it comes from and what to do if it applies to you.
Is there an expiry date on a White Card?
No. Under the Queensland Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, a general construction induction training card (White Card) must show your name, your signature, the date it was issued, a unique card number and the state it was issued in. It doesn’t show an expiry date, and there’s no renewal process or renewal fee.
That’s different to licences such as a driver’s licence or a First Aid certificate, which have to be renewed.
The 2-year rule
While the card itself doesn’t expire, the regulation puts a duty on the business you work for. Section 317 says 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 ago, the worker has carried out construction work in the preceding 2 years.
Section 316 also says the business must make sure the training is provided to a worker who completed it more than 2 years ago and hasn’t done construction work in the last 2 years.
In practice, this means:
- You’ve been working in construction: your White Card stays valid, no matter how old it is.
- You trained recently: if you completed the course less than 2 years ago, you’re covered even if you haven’t started work yet.
- You’ve been out of the industry for 2 years or more: you need to complete the White Card course again before you can carry out construction work.
The same 2-year rule applies in the other states. For example, SafeWork NSW only recognises a White Card if the holder hasn’t been out of the industry for more than 2 years, and WorkSafe WA says a card becomes invalid if the holder leaves the industry for 2 consecutive years or longer.
What counts as construction work?
Construction work is defined broadly in the WHS laws. It covers any work connected with the construction, alteration, fitting-out, renovation, repair, maintenance, demolition or dismantling of a structure, and includes related installation and testing, excavation work and site preparation. If your job involved this kind of work on a construction site in the last 2 years, it counts.
If you’re unsure, ask your employer, or contact Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
Can my White Card be cancelled?
Only in limited circumstances. The regulator can cancel a White Card if the card holder gave false or misleading information when applying for it, failed to give information that should have been given, or produced a training certificate that was obtained using false information. Before cancelling a card, the regulator must give the card holder written notice and a chance to respond.
A White Card isn’t cancelled because it’s old, because you changed jobs, or because you moved interstate.
Do I need to carry my White Card?
Yes. The regulation requires a worker carrying out construction work to keep their White Card available for inspection, and penalties apply. If you’ve only just completed your training and are waiting on your card, your Statement of Attainment (issued within the last 60 days) covers you in the meantime.
At Tradie Training, you don’t need to wait: we issue your Queensland White Card on the day of your course.
What if I’ve lost my White Card?
A lost card is a different situation to the 2-year rule. If your White Card is lost, stolen or destroyed and you’re still eligible to work, you can apply for a replacement instead of redoing the course. See our guide to replacing a lost White Card in Queensland.
Is a White Card from another state still valid in Queensland?
Yes. Queensland recognises White Cards issued under the WHS laws of other states and territories, as long as the card hasn’t been cancelled. The 2-year rule still applies. Read more about using your White Card in other states.
Need to redo your White Card?
If you’ve been out of construction for 2 years or more, the fix is simple: complete the White Card course again. The course takes 4.5 hours, costs $99 and you’ll leave with a new White Card on the day.