White Card (general construction induction)
CardIssued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
General labourer
Does routine tasks on building and construction sites, such as moving materials, tools and equipment around the site.
What you do
You load and unload materials, tools and equipment and move them around the site. You may put up and take down barricades and scaffolding, and mix and pour concrete, plaster and mortar. You may also dig holes and spread soil, gravel and sand.
SourceLast checked 10 Oct 2026
Licences and tickets
New South Wales
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
Helps you stand outNot required, but it can help you get hired.
- High risk work licence: forklift truck (LF)Licence
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Victoria
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- White Card (general construction induction)Card
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Helps you stand outNot required, but it can help you get hired.
- High risk work licence: forklift truck (LF)Licence
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Queensland
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- White Card (general construction induction)Card
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Helps you stand outNot required, but it can help you get hired.
- High risk work licence: forklift truck (LF)Licence
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Western Australia
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- White Card (general construction induction)Card
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Helps you stand outNot required, but it can help you get hired.
- High risk work licence: forklift truck (LF)Licence
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
South Australia
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- White Card (general construction induction)Card
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Helps you stand outNot required, but it can help you get hired.
- High risk work licence: forklift truck (LF)Licence
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Tasmania
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- White Card (general construction induction)Card
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Helps you stand outNot required, but it can help you get hired.
- High risk work licence: forklift truck (LF)Licence
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Australian Capital Territory
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- White Card (general construction induction)Card
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Helps you stand outNot required, but it can help you get hired.
- High risk work licence: forklift truck (LF)Licence
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Northern Territory
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- White Card (general construction induction)Card
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Helps you stand outNot required, but it can help you get hired.
- High risk work licence: forklift truck (LF)Licence
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Related jobs
Common questions
- What licences or tickets do you need to work as a General labourer?
- In every state the law requires: White Card (general construction induction). Pick your state on this page to see who issues each one and how to get it.
- What is the minimum pay for a General labourer?
- Minimum casual rate (adult, CW/ECW 1 (level a), residential): $35.10 an hour. Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020), from 1 July 2026. Last checked 10 Oct 2026.
- What are median earnings for a General labourer?
- Median earnings: $1,827 a week before tax (full-time workers, all experience levels, national; may cover a wider occupation group).