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Owner Builder Blog

White Card Training for Owner Builders

17/6/2019

59 Comments

 
I am getting a lot of questions from our owner builders asking why they can no longer complete the White Card course (General Safety induction Training) online.

That is a question that you would need to ask WorkSafe.

To be quite honest, I know the answer...

There were simply too many RTO's out there not doing the right thing by owner builder students or anyone else need to do the training. There were many offerings of 'shonky' course which did not provide the fundamental thing required of a training course. They simply did not transfer knowledge. They were only interested in your money.

It is very sad that operators out there exist and that they make it impossible for the good operators to complete. Not only is it sad, but it is incredibly worrying when the knowledge and skills that need to be transferred to a student are for the sole purpose of keeping them safe. Achieving genuine transfer of knowledge through online learning is not easy. It takes a skilled and experienced course writer to author a course and set assignments, task and questions that truly allow the candidate to demonstrate competence.

Over the years we developed a great system for achieving this and expended an enormous amount of effort and resources to make certain not only our students (owner builders and others) got value for money and truly developed skills and knowledge that would help to keep them safe in a construction workplace. Importantly, as the vast majority of our students were owner builders, we contextualised the course over the years to ensure it had even more relevance to them in their role as Persons in Control of A Business Undertaking (PCBU) or as a Principal Contractor.

An owner builder has the added responsibility to ensure eveyone employed on their sites remain safe and have access to appropriate facilities. Further, they are responsible for ensuring each of the contractors engaged on the owner builder site that is undertaking a High Risk Construction Activity, is doing so under the provisions of a Safe Work Method Statement or similar.

All that said, the rest of the states have not yet followed suit, even though Work Health and Safety legislation is supposed to be harmonised across the states and territories.

So,guess what?  Those same RTO's who did not do the right thing by their previous students, continue to wrought the system by offering the White Card online and issuing a Western Australian card. (they have the least stringent requirements in respect to ID and record keeping).

Hopefully, sanity will prevail at some time soon and we will be able to compete again in this very competitive market.
Sales even for our owner builder courses have dropped off considerably because we can non longer offer a package deal.

Is that fair? Probably not, but we will continue to only offer a quality product to our students, so if you can get to our offices, we are more than happy to offer the course face to face.

Best Regards and Happy Owner Building

Rick

59 Comments
Treisha Hemaridis
16/7/2019 12:12:22

I have an Dip Proj Mgt , a Dip WHS , an Adv Dip Risk Management , I have a white card (though issued years ago) - I am finding a lot of the activity to be undertaken in this course quite unnecessary - but here I am completing the course and providing evidence that I can communicate using technology..

Reply
Rachel
27/7/2021 21:45:02

Currently due to COVID there are a number of RTO who have been given the all clear to perform the white card via online zoom. So technically still face to face, just on the computer in the comfort of your own home. :)

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Simon Maberley
22/2/2022 21:47:01

Due to COVID, I also completed a white card via Zoom, which I thought was a fairly good compromise between physical interaction and "e-learning".
Online delivery has its benefits, but I would agree that it limits the capacity for personal engagement and rapport, which can be a key element of successful learning outcomes.

Henna
11/8/2022 09:53:48

I completed my white card course online via zoom as well, worked well, took one day but didn't have to leave home to go anywhere.

Tristan Tran
5/11/2021 03:51:42

Yes the white card should remain a face-face training course. Safety in the workplace can not be skimmed through via online courses. Communication skills and interactions with other people are essential for safe work to take place.

Reply
Geffrey Holgate
5/8/2019 20:44:33

I'm a fitter by trade, and have a white card, and have found this course a gross overkill just to for the purpose of building a shed. Also providing evidence that I can communicate using technology as part of the course!

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Matt
18/8/2019 20:27:29

I am enjoying the course and what it has to offer - I have a white card and on completion of this course I look forward to securing my Owner Builder certification - this is also evidence that I can communicate using technology.

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Ron
3/9/2021 01:17:16

Thankfully white cards do not have an expiry date. The owner builder course helps to demonstrate what is required to successfully complete small domestic projects and shows where responsibility for managing all aspects of the project should be.

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Michael
12/9/2019 22:36:41

I have just completed the Owner Builder NSW Course, it has provided a useful refresher for WH&S information. (evidence of communicating through technology)

Reply
Vivan Sabhlok
9/10/2019 22:08:14

I have learned so much through the courses and associated assessments. Working in IT industry, i did not face any problem accessing information or use of technology :) . Cheers

Reply
Gilbert link
16/10/2019 11:56:48

I have a white card (online) and have to say this Owner/Builder course is so much more thought out and professional. It took a bit more time than I had expected but I learned a lot.
I hope to soon begin with my project and the real learning will start.
. Cheers

Reply
Paula
5/8/2020 14:16:36

I agree Gilbert. This course which has been put together by Rick and his team is great. It is quite easy to navigate and I took a lot out of it. Although some things were more in depth than i was expecting, I'm glad i studied it and understood it. I'm looking forward to commencing my Owner Builder experience.

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Katie McDermott
11/8/2022 05:35:02

Which company did you use for the white card? Thx

Reply
Navaratnam Raguram
4/11/2019 15:20:27

I have completed my white card course one week ago and it's very useful to learn the safety factors.

Reply
Katie McDermott
11/8/2022 05:35:56

Hi- did you do this online? Which company? Thx

Reply
antonio ( anthony) Pangallo
15/11/2019 14:47:55

i will check out the white card options - good info here

Reply
Kristen Garratt
2/12/2019 11:21:09

I agree that with an online system there can be too many cowboys out there to take advantage of the system for personal gain. Its a shame but its a reality in todays world unfortunately

(evidence of communicating through technology)


Reply
Brenton Pugh
30/1/2020 03:29:56

thanks for the information. I have recently completed my owner builders course and am looking to get my white card soon.

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Kathy Denniss
4/2/2020 17:22:10

Interesting conversation regarding white cards. A shame that some trainers spoil it for everyone. I am looking at doing my white card in the next few weeks however only one training facility in my area and limited dates to fit in with so may have to have a trip to Sydney. Any recommendations for the best place to go would be appreciated.
(evidence of communicating through technology)

Reply
Bradley Tronc
13/2/2020 10:54:51

Thanks for the info, Rick.

Any news of whether you have been able to pick up white card courses for 2020.

Further, I provide this post as evidence I can communicate via technology.

Reply
Renae Myhill
4/3/2020 14:14:40

I am also going to be needing to complete the White Card, so if anyone finds a place in Northern NSW or Gold Coast / Brisbane, please do let me know.

Reply
Lorraine Reynolds link
5/3/2020 19:47:37

White Card NSW course offerred in Lismore by WHS Whitecard. One day face to face. Casino also.
See website for details. A course offerred this Monday 9th March.

Reply
Andrew Nez
10/4/2020 10:29:34

I am about to apply for a White Card course in my local area for the process of home renovating & part of my Owner builders qualification. However, during this period of "COVID19" lock downs & social isolation, it will be interesting to see how the course will run with less students per class, face to face learning, actual class availability & the ability to legally travel to the course. Maybe this could be a time for the return of on-line learning for this & many other courses, maybe with stricter guidelines etc..

Reply
Christoper Becker
15/4/2020 06:50:08

I am enjoying taking part in the course and refreshing my knowledge. I am a Fibrous plasterer by trade, and have held a trade contractors licence from 1979. I also have a white card,but
hope it is still valid for the purpose of obtaining my owner builders
licence for our retirement project.
Hopefully evidence that I can communicate using technology.

Reply
Alan
24/4/2020 19:27:18

I have just enrolled in the O/B Course and am keen to get a White Card. I live mid north coast and believe that Port Macquarie offers this course. Can anyone confirm?
Best Regards

Reply
Fiona
11/5/2020 21:48:57

As the owner of a dance school and mother of 2 toddlers I really wanted to do the White Card NSW course online to save a lot of hassle for my family.
I enrolled in and attended the face to face course. I started with zero knowledge about construction sites and zero knowledge of acronyms or lexicon pertaining to construction.
In hindsight I learned essential basics I'd otherwise possibly not have learned in an online course delivery.

Reply
Amanda Lewis
12/7/2020 15:46:48

I have just registered to start my owner builders course for NSW and currently hold a white card. Does anyone know if this has to be renewed if it was a while ago I that I did the course. I completed it in August 2009 and it does not have an expiry date on it :)

Reply
Margareta Carter
4/8/2020 11:26:14

The first module of the Owner Builder course has covered a lot of what we learnt in the White Card Course. Well presented.

Reply
Brad lawson
13/8/2020 17:18:43

Hi there,

We are thoroughly enjoying this opportunity to refresh our knowledge of WHS regulations, procedures and policies. We are thrilled that now we will be entering the worksite armed with this knowledge and we are satisfied that using this course we will be able to offer people on our worksite a safe environment. We are demonstrating our ability to communicate via technology which is an amazing added extra component of this course.

Reply
Leslie Liu
22/8/2020 08:21:44

I took the white card course and found it very interesting and insightful for my knowledge. The first module in the Owner's Builder course was excellently set out which was a great refresher to the white card course in regards to WHS regulations, procedures and policies. It really taught me the essentials of safety and making sure we always have clear communication amongst those involved.

Reply
Mark Ferian
14/9/2020 18:27:44

I have a white card and have just finished the tasks. now waiting for an answer.

Reply
John Nash
15/10/2020 07:57:52

I do not have a problem with doing the white card as a face to face course except finding a RTO nearby. I think writing a comment on a blog as proof of capability to use electronic communications is largely a moot point these days because of the prevalence of smart phones/devices and our appetite for using social media platforms.
My apologies if this sounds like a smart ass comment but I worked as a ICT consultant for 30 years and actually preferred to talk to clients in person.

Reply
Taylor McGovern
11/11/2020 21:29:47

Have completed my white card in a one day course an hour from home, would have been much more comfortable at home. Especially with COVID restrictions there were wait times on getting into the course and any practical activites such as PPE were just shown instead of participating.
(Evidence of communicating using techonology)

Reply
Samuel link
14/1/2021 21:06:48

Thank you! for this valuable information. I partially agree with you. Yes, an offline course is more helpful to understand the course. But there are few institutes in Australia, who are providing the online white card training course professionally in this pandemic situation. You can research on the internet about online course institutes.

Reply
Milan
21/1/2021 14:25:03

Interesting read cannot understand why some common sense can’t prevail 1 card 1 standard for the whole of Australia.But then again look at how our premiers are running the individual states, some common sense would help there as well.

Reply
gh
12/2/2021 20:03:36

So ironic that a course about safety is ignoring the highest safety goal on the planet right now.

I think the question of "why isn't the White Card course (General Safety induction Training) available online?" needs to be reviewed in light of COVID. Across the entire country and all industries there have been so many steps taken, including remote connectivity, Zoom meetings and QR code registration to name a few.

As I understand it, NSW in particular requires face-to-face training for the White Card. Given the demands of NSW Health and NSW Police in preventing the spread of COVID-19, of which social distancing is one of the biggest risk mitigation approaches, it's no wonder everyone prefers online courses (and who really cares if they get a WA-based white card instead - it's nationally recognised, right?).

Since (a) online White Card courses are still happening anyway; and, (b) both the public and the government prefer *online* courses for safety's sake, a review should be done to get an outcome that actually meets everyone's requirements.

Besides, if there's "shonky" trainers at there, surely there are penalties at the disposal of those who investigate them - rather than penalising all the other trainers and their customers, instead.

Reply
Linda Hemsworth link
12/2/2021 22:48:53

Thank you for this valuable information. Recently I complete my white card training online from Origin Institute.

Reply
jiehan zhu
22/2/2021 18:21:36

I THINK THE WHITE CARD IS QUITE IMPORTANT

Reply
Tarren Guy
21/3/2021 19:54:17

I have recently completed my white card for nsw in a classroom and the owner builder course is my next box to tick while plans are currently going through council.

Thank you

Reply
Wayne Caruana
3/5/2021 14:48:30

Thanks Rick,

I have just about completed my online owner builder course.

Can anyone recommend a good white card course close to Newcastle NSW.

What time commitment does the course involve and how much does it cost?

Reply
SUNGHYE KIM
6/5/2021 17:46:28

Good to read through Rick,

I also was looking for a online course for white card but I had to go to one of training school to get one. I think it is better trained person to person.

Reply
MATT BAILEY
15/7/2021 18:05:28

Hi owner builders, I got my white card way back in 2011 at a face to face course and I remember the instructor saying that the white card is always valid as long as you haven't spent more than two years out of the construction industry. How anyone would know that or could police it is beyond me so I do agree that there should be refresher courses for a white card, however I've first hand worked with some people who cannot be "taught" safety as I don't believe they have the mental capacity!

Reply
Roel Van de Paar
18/8/2021 09:23:24

Some online course providers do currently provide NSW white card training, and you can find solid discount codes for the same also. You will have to demonstrate in a video call that you are able to put on safety gear/PPE.

Reply
MR LAWRENCE SMITH
30/8/2021 08:52:12

Courses are being advertised by RTO's in NSW as 'Online White Card course' - there is no mention of this on the Service NSW website, only a list of RTO's. So I'd assume that if an RTO is listed there, and that RTO is offering an Online White Card Course' then that must be legit. If anyone has information that clarifies this, would be good to hear/read. Cheers.

Reply
Jack Wolffs
30/9/2021 20:02:00

Hi Lawerance,
https://advanceohs.com.au/whs-courses/nsw-construction-white-card are doing white cards online they are legimate. The course is a little bit more expensive. They admin. the course through Zoom, which is valid during Covid. They are running them until end of October

Reply
Mitchell Cameron
8/9/2021 12:27:10

I have had my white card for years and I am in the process of finishing the online owner builders course.
This is evidence of communicating through technology.

Reply
karan
25/9/2021 11:40:19

Very impressed with current white card course requirements in NSW. In webinar session they required the camera on at all times to ensure the engagement and attempt of assessments by the real candidate. Good to see the systems in place to stop unqualified people obtaining white card enforcing safety at work sites.

Reply
Malcolm O'Mara
11/11/2021 09:44:11

Having completed the White Card course prior to commencing the Owner Builder course, I found the first unit somewhat repetitive. However, it has been a useful refresher and I have now completed the unit. Please take this reply as evidence of use of technology as requested.

Reply
Chris Vaschetty
2/2/2022 17:09:21

I've been a licensed electrician since 2007, but due to the industries I've worked in, I have somehow managed to not get a white card. I completed a Mines Generic Induction in 2009, which is remarkably similar, but now I still have to complete the white card.
The intent of the course itself is to provide value, but I feel the RTOs and their trainers do it quite an injustice.

Reply
Chris Vaschetty
2/2/2022 17:11:04

Sorry, I probably should have said that I did my White Card with a different company, not ownerbuildercourses,com or Abacus.

Reply
Mary
14/2/2022 15:06:31

I agree with with most of the comments on this forum, I believe the white card should be conducted in a face to face environment, it is very important this card is granted in well managed and honest manner so that people remain safe on the job site and keeps others around them safe also and have not obtained their card in a dodgy unsafe way.

Reply
Ibby
22/2/2022 19:13:56

good read.

Reply
Ibby
22/2/2022 19:14:23

good read

Reply
Bryan Gatter
5/4/2022 15:23:31

Rick your comments on RTO's and White Card training are quite relevant, but the problem I think is the scrutiny of RTO's in general.
More effort needs to be placed on Verifying the range of courses offered, the training material they supply and the actual outcomes in knowledge gained from those courses by the participants.

Reply
Shannon Smith
12/5/2022 10:49:13

I have a Western Australian issued White card from an RTO. The course content was comprehensive and I completed the units successfully. I appreciated that I was able to complete the course in my own time in my own home to work around my other full time commitments. I have no doubt there are shonky operators out there just as this is in any field. But regulation of course content and nationally recognised training I think has gone a long way to improve the quality of training providers.

Reply
Kieran McNally
6/7/2022 21:59:04

I am completing the NSW owner builders course and have found the course content interesting and relevant. Not having come from a trade / construction background I have learned a lot of important information regarding the building process (even though I am only intending to use it on a relatively small project). I will be much better placed to oversee and run the project and have greater awareness of any issues that may potentially arise.

Reply
white card gladstone link
30/8/2022 13:32:25

Gladstone Training Services is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that offers friendly and flexible training for the Construction, Mining,

Reply
Terry Hannan
31/8/2022 20:13:35

Have completed Green card and purple ohs card prior to the white card starting in 1999. Sad to see safety being put aside for a quick buck.

Reply
Lesley Lecke link
11/10/2022 17:35:46

I have had a white card since 2006 and being a landscaper have continued in the construction industry. Recently my wallet was stolen with my white card in it. I have recently paid for a replacement and hope the records go back that far otherwise I may have to redo the course. Here’s hoping.

Reply



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    Rick Heaton is a Building and Construction Industry professional with formal tertiary qualifications in management and training.

    With over 30 years assisting Owner Builders, he brings an easy style to providing information and advice to our students.

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