Mutual recognition of construction induction training

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), 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.