In Australia, security guards, cleaners, and maintenance staff do require a White Card if their role involves entering or working on an active construction site.

The requirement to hold a White Card does not depend on job title.

It is determined by whether a person is exposed to construction-related risks or routinely enters an operational construction environment.

The White Card, formally known as the General Construction Induction Card, is a mandatory requirement under Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation.

It applies to anyone carrying out construction work — and anyone who is required to be present in areas where construction activities are taking place.

This article explains when a White Card is required for security, cleaning, and maintenance roles, when it is not required, and what both workers and employers need to understand to remain compliant.

What Is a White Card?

A White Card is the nationally recognised certification that confirms a person has completed general construction induction training.

The current unit of competency is CPCWHS1001 – Prepare to work safely in the construction industry.

The purpose of the White Card is to ensure that anyone entering a construction site or high-risk work area understands:

• Common construction hazards

• Risk control measures

• Site safety procedures

• Their legal responsibilities under WHS law

White Card training is not trade-specific.

It is designed to provide baseline safety awareness for all people who may be exposed to construction environments.

Why White Card Requirements Apply For Non-Construction Workers

Many people assume that White Cards are only required for builders, labourers, and trades.

This is incorrect.

Under WHS legislation, the obligation applies to any person who carries out construction work or routinely enters a construction workplace.

This includes roles that support site operations, even if construction is not their primary function.

Security personnel, cleaners, and maintenance staff often:

• Enter areas where construction work is underway

• Work near moving plant, equipment, or materials

• Are exposed to hazards such as uneven surfaces, noise, dust, or restricted access zones

For this reason, these roles commonly fall within the scope of White Card requirements.

When Is a White Card Legally Required?

A White Card is required when a person:

• Carries out work on an active construction site

• Is required to regularly enter construction zones as part of their duties

• Is exposed to construction hazards while performing their role

The requirement applies regardless of whether the work is full-time, part-time, casual, or occasional. It also applies to contractors, subcontractors, and labour hire workers.

Employers and site controllers have a legal duty to ensure that anyone allowed onto a construction site holds the appropriate induction certification.

Security Staff

Security personnel require a White Card when their role involves access to construction zones or active worksites.

This commonly applies where security staff are responsible for:

• Patrolling construction areas

• Monitoring site access points

• Managing safety incidents or after-hours site security

• Overseeing equipment, materials, or temporary structures

Security staff working on live construction projects are considered to be operating within a construction environment and must understand site hazards and safety procedures.

When a White Card May Not Be Required for Security Staff

A White Card may not be required if security duties are strictly limited to:

• Completed buildings with no ongoing construction

• Office or commercial spaces fully separated from construction areas

• Locations where access to construction zones is not permitted

However, many principal contractors still require all onsite personnel to hold a White Card as a general site condition.

Cleaners

Cleaners require a White Card if they perform cleaning duties on or within active construction sites.

This includes cleaners responsible for:

• Site amenities such as toilets and lunch areas

• Temporary buildings or structures within a construction zone

• Maintaining hygiene and safety in areas exposed to construction activities

Cleaners working on active sites are exposed to hazards such as plant movement, uneven surfaces, and construction materials. White Card training ensures they understand how to work safely in these environments.

When a White Card May Not Be Required for Cleaners

A White Card is generally not required where cleaning work is limited to:

• Final or post-construction cleaning after works are complete

• Office spaces that are physically separated from construction activities

• Commercial buildings with no construction underway

If there is uncertainty, site rules or principal contractor requirements will usually determine access conditions.

Maintenance Staff

Maintenance staff almost always require a White Card when performing work on or around active construction sites.

This applies to maintenance workers such as:

• Electricians (eg. fault-finding or repairing existing wiring on-site)
• Plumbers (eg. fixing leaks or maintaining existing pipework)
• HVAC technicians (eg servicing or repairing installed air-conditioning systems)
• Landscapers (eg. planting, maintaining site drainage or erosion controlson active building sites)
• General repair and maintenance personnel (eg. minor repairs or equipment servicing on site)

Even when maintenance work is minor or short-term, exposure to construction risks triggers the requirement for general construction induction training.

When a White Card May Not Be Required for Maintenance Staff

A White Card may not be required where maintenance work is limited to:

• Completed buildings with no construction activity underway
• Routine servicing in operational facilities that are not construction sites
• Office, retail, or commercial spaces fully separated from construction areas
• Minor maintenance tasks performed entirely outside construction zones

As with other roles, site access rules and principal contractor requirements ultimately determine whether a White Card is required.

Employer Responsibilities and Legal Obligations

Employers, labour hire providers, and site controllers have legal responsibilities under WHS legislation.

These include:

• Verifying that workers hold a valid White Card before site access

• Maintaining records of induction and training

• Preventing unqualified personnel from entering construction areas

• Ensuring contractors and subcontractors meet site safety requirements

Allowing a worker onto a construction site without the required induction can expose businesses to enforcement action, penalties, and liability if an incident occurs.

Quick Facts About the White Card for 2026

The following points are important for all workers and employers to understand:

Official course code for the White Card: CPCWHS1001 – Prepare to work safely in the construction industry.

National recognition: Valid across all Australian states and territories.

Validity: The White Card does not expire, provided the holder continues work in construction or high-risk work environment. A refresher may be required after two years of inactivity.

Training method: In most states, White Card training must be completed face-to-face or via a live virtual classroom. Self-paced online courses are not accepted.

Identification: Participants must have valid working rights in Australia and provide 100 points of identification to enrol.

Unsure if You Need a White Card?

The safest approach for both workers and employers is to assume that a White Card is required whenever a role involves construction site access.

This avoids delays, access restrictions, and compliance issues.

White Card training can be completed in a single day, and many providers such as National White Card Courses offer onsite group training for businesses with multiple staff.