How Much Does a White Card Cost in Australia?

Three trainees wearing safety vests and helmets, holding White Card certificates after finishing construction induction training.

Key Takeaways

  • The cost of obtaining a White Card varies based on the state and training provider. The fees for the course range from $90 to $150 across Australia.
  • The cost includes both the training and a Statement of Attainment. In some states, such as Tasmania, there may be an additional government fee to get the physical construction induction card.
  • Prices vary depending on the provider and type of course you attend, online or face-to-face.
  • If you lose, damage, or have your White Card stolen, replacing it will cost between $20 to $60, depending on your state and the original training provider.

All workers undertaking construction tasks or accessing active construction sites in Australia require a White Card, and there are no exceptions. If you are starting a career in construction, you need to know how much is a white card.

The White Card training course, also known as CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry, is offered by various registered training organisations throughout Australia.

The cost of getting a White Card depends on several factors, such as the state you are in, the training provider you choose, and, in some cases, whether you are applying as an individual or through your employer.

This guide breaks down the cost of White Card training by state, what is covered, any additional charges, and ways to ensure you don’t pay for a White Card that is not valid for work at construction sites.

Job-Ready Snapshot

Want to Be Instantly Employable? These Certificates Can Make It Happen

White Card

Required: To work on any construction site.

Time: ~6 hrs (Zoom + online)

RSA Certificate

Required: To serve alcohol legally in Australia.

Time: ~4–6 hrs (self-paced)

RSG Certificate

Required: For gaming/pokies venues in QLD, SA, NT.

Time: ~4 hrs (online)

Food Safety L1

Required: For handling food in commercial kitchens.

Time: ~3 hrs (online)

White card front sample

How Much Does a White Card Cost in Australia?

The cost of taking a White Card course is more varied than many assume. Throughout all Australian states and territories, the fee for obtaining a White Card can range from $90 to $150, depending on where you live, who provides your training, and the method of study.

Here is a detailed state-by-state overview of what you can expect to pay.

State

Online Price Range

Face-to-Face Range

Key Notes

NSW

$100–$150

$125–$200

Live instructor-led virtual classroom required. Government-issued card follows.

QLD

$90–$120

$80–$200

Must be completed in QLD. Card issued by provider.

WA

$90–$120

$80–$180

Live virtual delivery approved by WorkSafe WA.

Tasmania

$90–$120

$80–$180

Apply at Service Tasmania within 60 days of training. Government fee applies.

Victoria

$80–$180

$80–$200

Face-to-face only. Provider issues card directly.

SA

$90–$140

$80–$180

Face-to-face only. No separate government fee for the card.

ACT

$90–$150

$80–$180

Face-to-face only. Check provider approval with WorkSafe ACT.

NT

$90–$150

$80–$180

Face-to-face only. Confirm RTO approval before enrolling.

 

An important point of difference: these fees include course fees for the White Card course and your statement of attainment.

In Tasmania, there is also a separate government fee to obtain the physical construction induction card, which needs to be paid at the Service Tasmania office when you lodge your application. Fees for this are set by WorkSafe Tasmania and are in addition to any fees charged by your RTO.

What Does the White Card Course Price Actually Include?

Before comparing providers, know what you’re actually paying for. A legitimate RTO course fee should cover your study materials, the full CPCCWHS1001 training (online or face-to-face), the competency assessment, your Statement of Attainment on the day, and submission of your records to the National VET Data Collection so your qualification links to your USI Number.

What it usually won’t cover: re-sit fees if you fail the assessment, PPE in NSW (you supply your own), a government application fee in Tasmania paid directly to WorkSafe Tasmania, and replacement card fees down the track ($20–$60 depending on state and provider). Some colleges don’t advertise these upfront, so ask before you enrol.

Queensland-construction-induction-White-Card-front-and-back-sample

What Are the Hidden Costs of Getting Your White Card?

There are several costs associated with undertaking White Card training that students don’t always know. Knowing what they are before you start will help prevent any surprises on the day of training or afterwards when you’re waiting for your card.

Tasmania Card Application Fee

In Tasmania, completing your White Card course with an approved training provider gives you your Statement of Attainment. However, the process doesn’t end there. You’ll need to visit a Service Tasmania centre with your Statement of Attainment, completed application form, and ID documents, and pay the applicable government fee to have your WorkSafe Tasmania card issued.

You must lodge this application within 60 days of receiving your Statement of Attainment. If you miss this deadline, you’ll need to go through the application process again.

How to Get Good Value for Your White Card

Price isn’t the best measure here. A unregulated $60 course is worse value than a solid $125 one. What actually matters is whether the provider is legit and what you’re getting for your money.

First, check the provider on training.gov.au before paying anything. Every real RTO has an active registration number and permission to deliver CPCCWHS1001. If you’re in NSW, QLD, WA, or Tasmania where online training is available, also confirm your state’s safety regulator (SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe QLD, WorkSafe WA, or WorkSafe Tasmania) has approved them for virtual classroom delivery.

Beyond that, look for same-day Statement of Attainment, transparent pricing with no surprise fees, clear refund and rescheduling policies, flexible class times, and actual student support you can reach before and after the course.

National Online Courses (RTO 41072) delivers government-approved online White Card training in NSW, QLD, Tasmania, and WA. NSW courses are $125 with a best-price guarantee. Find a government-approved course cheaper and we’ll beat it by 10%. Classes run live with experienced trainers and your Statement of Attainment is issued the same day. Book at noc.edu.au.

White-Card-in-Australia

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How Much Does a White Card Cost in NSW?

Online White Card courses in NSW range in price from $90 to $200 depending on the training provider and if the course is online or face-to-face.

Training courses in NSW are more expensive due to having to conduct a live instructor-led virtual class approved by SafeWork NSW (as opposed to self-paced) and potential costs associated with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if you do not already have suitable safety gear.

Is a Cheap White Card Course Legitimate?

Not always. Be suspicious of any courses selling for extremely low prices, especially anything below $60, or claiming to provide training in under 1 hour with no live trainer involved.

All legitimate White Card training offered by registered Training Organisations (RTOs) includes 6-6. 5 hours of study time, plus an opportunity to undertake an assessment task.

Will I Have to Pay for the physical White Card?

No, generally speaking. Many States don’t charge any additional fees for issuing the physical White Card following successful completion of the training course.

The exception is Tasmania. Upon completing your training course, you will need to submit an application for your White Card at a Service Tasmania outlet and pay a separate fee set by the Government.

How Much Does a Replacement White Card Cost?

You can expect to pay between $20 and $60 for a replacement White Card, depending on the state where you reside and the RTO which issued your original card.

You won’t need to complete the full Construction Induction Training course if you are actively working in the construction industry, simply contact the RTO that issued your original card and ask for a replacement.

White Card graduates wearing high-vis vests and helmets posing after training.

Enrol in a Government-Approved Online Course Today

If you’re planning to work in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, having your tickets and certifications ready is the easiest way to stand out and land work fast. National Online Courses makes it simple:

All courses are 100% online, nationally recognised and designed to get you job-ready quickly, no matter where you are.

How to get a summer job Australia