Australia’s FIFO workforce is massive, with more than 100,000 people working fly-in fly-out roles across the country.
Getting a White Card is the first step toward landing a FIFO job, as it helps you meet site safety requirements and open the door to further tickets and better opportunities.
Australia’s FIFO (Fly-In Fly-Out) industry offers some of the highest-paying jobs in the country. For thousands of Australians looking to break into this kind of work, FIFO arrangements give you a real shot at earning strong wages while still living in a major city.
But before you can set foot on most FIFO sites, you’ll need one essential qualification: a White Card for FIFO jobs in Australia.
Also known as a General Construction Induction Card, a White Card proves you’ve completed the required safety training and know how to work safely in high-risk environments. Sites like these involve heavy machinery, construction zones, and serious industrial hazards. For this reason, most employers won’t let you start without it.
If you’re looking to get into FIFO work, getting a White Card is usually the first box you need to tick.
You must complete your White Card course in the state where you live. Please select the state you live in below.
A White Card confirms that you have completed training in workplace safety and hazard awareness. This training teaches workers how to identify risks, follow safety procedures, and protect themselves and others on active worksites.
In Australia, a White Card is required before entering most construction environments. The certification shows employers that you understand essential safety practices and site protocols.
But while it’s also known as a General ‘Construction’ Induction Card, a White Card is commonly required for a range of job sites and workplace environments including:
FIFO stands for Fly-In Fly-Out. A work system used when job sites are located in remote areas far from major towns or cities.
Workers travel to the site by plane or bus, stay for a rostered shift period, and then return home for their scheduled break.
Typical FIFO rosters include:
While FIFO work in Australia is most often associated with mining, that’s not the only sector where Fly-In Fly-Out work is available. In addition to mining, FIFO arrangements are also common in industries such as oil and gas, large infrastructure projects, and remote construction work.
Australia’s mining industry relies heavily on FIFO labour, particularly in remote regions where it is not practical to build permanent communities.
Estimates suggest over 100,000 workers participate in FIFO roles across Australia, with Western Australia and Queensland hosting the largest number of workers due to their major mining regions.
Meanwhile, the demand for FIFO workers looks set to increase over the years ahead as Australia’s mining sector grapples with a workforce gap that’s only getting bigger.
By 2026, the industry is projected to need around 24,400 new workers, yet current forecasts show only 16,000 will be available.
This shift has made one credential more important than ever: the construction industry White Card.
Many people assume that mining jobs only require mining-specific training, but construction safety training is often the first requirement.
Why? Because mining operations frequently involve ongoing construction and infrastructure development. On any mine site, workers may encounter:
Because of these risks, employers require workers to complete general construction safety training before entering site areas.
This White Card certification ensures workers understand:
Without this training, workers may not be allowed to attend site-specific mining inductions or access operational areas.
Read more here: White Card for Mining Jobs – Complete Guide
FIFO sites are busy, high-pressure environments. Whether you’re working on an oil and gas project, a large construction development, or a resources operation, these are complex workplaces where heavy machinery, hazardous activities, and tight deadlines all come together.
Every worker needs to understand the risks and know how to manage them. That’s why a wide range of FIFO roles require a White Card, covering both trade and non-trade positions.
Here’s a look at which jobs typically need one before you start.
Trade and technical workers are the backbone of most FIFO projects, keeping machinery, facilities, and infrastructure running. Common roles include:
Large-scale FIFO projects are constantly moving. New structures go up, existing ones get upgraded, and something always needs repairing. Construction and maintenance work is a constant on most sites, which means a White Card is almost always a requirement for access.
Roles that typically need one include:
Even if your role doesn’t involve hands-on construction work, you’ll still likely need a White Card. Support workers regularly move through active zones where machinery is operating and construction is happening. A White Card makes sure you know the basic safety procedures and site rules before you set foot in those areas.
Support roles that commonly require one include:
For many workers entering mining for the first time, completing a White Card training course is the minimum step toward employment.
The process of acquiring a White Card in Australia is straightforward, taking as little as a day to complete the training.
First, you must complete the nationally recognised course: CPCWHS1001 – Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry.
Recognised courses are available through approved training providers, such as National White Card Courses and may be delivered:
White Card courses can be completed in as little as a day and typically take six to eight hours to complete.
Training covers key safety topics including:
You can learn more about what’s involved in the course in our handy White Card Learning Guide.
Participants must demonstrate an understanding of workplace safety through a short assessment.
We’ve got some great tips and a cheat sheet on how to pass the test. Once that assessment is completed, you will receive:
While a White Card is essential, many employers also require additional safety certifications and specific licences.
Common tickets include:
Completing these certifications alongside a White Card course can significantly improve your chances of securing a FIFO role.
With approximately 100,000 people employed in FIFO jobs around the country, FIFO work has become one of the most attractive employment options in Australia’s resource sector.
And much of the appeal comes down to the fact it’s a work arrangement that offers employees the chance to earn high salaries while maintaining a home base in a major city or regional area.
Mining jobs offer significantly higher pay than many other industries.
The average mining salary in Australia is currently between $105,000 and $125,000, according to Seek, with skilled positions and experienced personnel commanding annual salaries above $150,000.
There may also be annual bonuses on top of the annual salary while FIFO positions often include extras such as food, accommodation, gym access and transport while you are on site.
FIFO rosters allow workers to take extended breaks between shifts.
For example, a two-week-on / two-week-off roster means workers may spend roughly half the year at home.
Workers who begin in entry-level roles can progress into specialised positions such as:
Completing a White Card training course is often the first step in this career pathway.
Yes, in most cases. Many companies require workers to hold a White Card before they can access operational or construction areas.
Some roles may not require one, but most employers expect applicants to already have a White Card before hiring.
Most courses take between six and eight hours and can be completed in a single day.
Yes. White Cards are nationally recognised, allowing workers to move between construction and mining projects in different states.
You can obtain your certification through an approved training provider such as National White Card Courses.
If you’re planning to work in a FIFO job in Australia, obtaining a White Card is one of the most important first steps. The essential accreditation demonstrates you understand workplace safety and are prepared to work in high-risk environments such as construction zones and industrial mining sites.
For many workers, completing a White Card course is the gateway qualification that opens the door to FIFO employment and a long-term career in Australia’s thriving resources sector.
When it comes to your safety and workplace credentials, don’t settle for less.
National White Card Courses is an accredited Registered Training Organisation (RTO 41072) providing nationally recognised White Card courses in Australia.
Our White Card training and certification is approved by all relevant government bodies, including SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe QLD, WorkSafe VIC, WorkSafe WA, SafeWork SA, and WorkSafe Tasmania.
We ensure you receive comprehensive, hands-on instruction that online courses simply can’t match.
By choosing National White Card Courses, you’re protecting yourself from the risks associated with online training — like potential scams, unrecognised certifications, and inadequate preparation for real-world scenarios.
Our White Card training provides you with a legitimate and valid White Card certificate that can be used anywhere in Australia.
