Your White Card does not run out after 5 years. And there’s no fixed renewal date to put in your diary, either.
In Victoria, the card remains current while you continue doing construction work. It lapses only after a full 2-year period in which you have not done any construction work at all. That is the only time White Card renewal is necessary.
A card issued 10 years ago may still be current. And a card issued more recently may have lapsed if you left construction for 2 consecutive years.
Do you need White Card renewal in Victoria?
Usually, no. White Card renewal is not a recurring course or an administrative task you complete every few years.
The issue is your work history. Under Victoria’s construction induction rules, the card lapses after any consecutive 2-year period without construction work. A break shorter than 2 years does not lapse it. Changing employers, working on different projects or moving into a different construction role does not lapse it either.
The rules are straightforward:
- You have performed construction work within the past 2 years: your existing card remains current
- You have been completely out of construction for 2 years or longer: your card has lapsed and you need to do the training again
- Your card is lost, stolen or damaged but you have kept working in construction: request a replacement rather than booking another course
- You are starting on a new site: keep your card available, then complete that site’s induction before beginning work
If you already know you have had a 2-year break, book a face-to-face White Card course before your first shift back. It removes the uncertainty before an employer, labour-hire provider or site manager asks for evidence.
Does a White Card expire in Victoria?
You won’t find a White Card expiry date printed on the card. The only date that counts is the date you last performed construction work.
You do not need to have worked every week or on one uninterrupted project. Construction work can be seasonal, project-based and spread across different employers. The card remains current as long as there has not been any consecutive 2-year period without construction work.
This rule is especially important for people returning after parental leave, study, travel, injury or a move into another industry. Look at the dates honestly. If your last construction role ended in June 2024 and you have not done construction work since, your card lapsed in June 2026.
It helps to keep records that support your work history, particularly if you have moved between contractors. Payslips, contracts, site records and employer details can help you check your position before assuming you need to retrain.
What to do when you have been away for 2 years
A lapsed card cannot be renewed. You need to complete Construction Induction Training again through an approved RTO.
In Victoria, that training must be delivered face to face. Fully online White Card courses are not accepted, even if the provider advertises that the card will be valid nationally. WorkSafe also expects the course to last at least 6 hours and result in a construction induction card issued by WorkSafe Victoria after successful completion.
There is no benefit in trying to use an old card because it looks intact. A current card is what counts at the site gate.
Once you have completed the training, the RTO applies to WorkSafe on your behalf. Your Statement of Attainment can be used while the card is being processed, provided it was issued within the previous 60 days.
A lost card needs a replacement, not a new course
Misplacing your White Card is frustrating, especially when you need it for a new job. But it does not affect the card’s status by itself.
If you have continued working in construction (and have not had a 2-year break) contact WorkSafe Victoria to request a replacement construction induction card. WorkSafe currently does not charge for a replacement plastic card, although its fees can change.
Do not pay for new training simply because you cannot find the physical card. First confirm whether the original card is still current. Then use the replacement process.
White Card validity and site induction are different things
A current White Card evidences general construction induction training. You still need to complete the safety steps required at each new workplace.
Before you start, the employer or principal contractor may also require:
- a site-specific induction
- proof of any High Risk Work licence needed for your role, such as a dogging, forklift or crane licence
- task-specific training, a verification of competency or supervised familiarisation with plant and equipment
- PPE that meets the site’s rules
A White Card also does not prove you are competent to operate a machine, work at height or carry out a high-risk task.
Work out your next step before you book
Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
You have worked in construction within the past 2 years and still have your card | Use your existing card and complete the new site’s induction |
You have worked in construction within the past 2 years but cannot find your card | Request a replacement card from WorkSafe Victoria |
You have had a 2-year break from construction work | Complete face-to-face Construction Induction Training with an approved RTO |
You hold an interstate construction induction card | Check it was lawfully issued, then present it to your Victorian employer or site manager |
Most people do not need to renew a White Card. They need to work out which of these situations applies to them.
Heading back to construction after a long break? Check the next CTI White Card course date and enrol before you are due on site. And if you’re already working, but have misplaced your card, start with WorkSafe’s replacement process so you do not pay for training you do not need.
