How To Apply for Cricos White Card in Australia as an International Student

Last Updated on: 23rd May 2022, 01:50 am

The construction industry is one of the most well-paid industries in Australia. Even working as a general laborer or trader, you can earn potentially up to $30 per hour. If you are an international student looking into construction as a potential career path, you are off to the right track.

In this article, we are going to give you a complete guide about White Card in Australia. Let’s start.

What is a White Card?

A White Card is a mandatory card required for all individuals who want to work on a construction site. It is sometimes referred to as a general construction induction card or CIC.

Statistics show that in 2019, there have been 26 fatalities as a result of accidents in the construction industry. These fatalities’ leading causes are falling from a height (buildings or ladders), followed by workers getting hit by falling objects and vehicle collisions.

The White Card course is designed to raise awareness of construction best practices to eliminate risks that cause injuries and fatalities in the workplace. To work in the Construction Industry, you need to undertake a short course known as White Card Course. The actual name of the unit you are completing is CPCCWHS1001 – Prepare to work safely in the construction industry.

International students in Australia on a student visa are permitted to undertake White Card Course. However, any course undertaken by a student visa holder must be registered on CRICOS. As per the Australian government’s requirement, only CRICOS registered institutes can deliver this course to international students in Australia.

Step by Step Guide on Getting a White Card

1. Find a CRICOS registered provider.

To qualify for a white card in Australia, you need to first complete general construction induction training with CRICOS registered providers.

National Training College is registered with CRICOS, (RTO #45654 | CRICOS #03884A). As such, we can conduct training and assessment for those local and international students wanting to secure a white card. Register with us to do this course.

2. Prepare the requirements

There are no formal academic requirements to get a white card. However, applicants must be 18 years old and over and must present a valid ID on the day of the course.

There are few additional requirements for International Students:

  • Must be currently enrolled in a principal course through National Colleges or other registered CRICOS provider.
  • Must present student visa allowing enrolment to another short course (we recommend checking it with the Department of Home Affairs prior to enrolment).
  • Must meet the minimum language skills requirements, as outlined in Migration (IMMI 18/015: English Language Tests and evidence Exemptions for Subclass 500 (Student) Visa) Instrument 2018.
  • Must pass the language, literacy, and numeracy (LLN) assessment provided by National Training College before enrolling. English Language Tests and Evidence Exemptions may apply.

3. Attend the training

White Card training is usually a one-day course that lasts around a minimum of 6 hours. After the learning part, there will be an assessment at the end of the day. You must pass this test in order to get a White Card.

4. Receive your White Card

Upon completion and successful evaluation of your assessment, you will be issued a Statement of Attainment the same day and receive the actual White Card or plastic card within 60 days.

FAQ: Can I start working while waiting for the White Card to arrive?

  • Yes. You can start working right away after receiving your certificate of completion from us. You do not need to wait for your White Card to arrive in order to start working. Simply present your Statement of Attainment to your employer.

What You’ll Learn

White Card training focuses on occupational health and safety. It aims to reduce injuries and equip you with skills and techniques to keep you and everyone else on-site safe.

Some of the topics that will be covered in the training include:

  • Workplace health and safety regulations
  • How to identify hazards and risks on construction sites
  • Health and safety reporting processes
  • OHS incident and emergency response procedures

Overall, the course will teach you how to stay safe on a high-risk work site and how to perform tasks in a way that does not present a risk to you or others.

The good news is that White Card does not have an expiry date. Upon completing this course, you will not need to renew this card again. However, under the new law, white cardholders who have not worked in the construction industry for two or more years should undertake a new course to refresh their knowledge.

We hope you find this blog useful in giving you the complete guide on getting a White Card in Australia as an international student.

If you want to learn more about various short courses you can take, we suggest looking at our available courses. Do not hesitate to contact our team and one of our staff would be happy to assist you.

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