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Blue Card Program

What Is the Blue Card?

The AWCI Australia Blue Card is a national registry and recognition program designed to professionalise the wall and ceiling industry. It provides a structured pre-licensing framework for workers undertaking plastering and related tasks, especially in an environment where the trade remains largely unlicensed.

The Blue Card ensures that:

  • Workers are recognised for their skills, including informal and on-the-job learning.

  • Contractors have confidence in the competency of their workforce.

  • Continuous professional development (CPD) becomes standard practice in the industry.

The Blue Card is both a professional recognition tool and a pathway to licensing, strengthening AWCI Australia’s advocacy to government while providing real, immediate benefits to workers and contractors.

Why Is the Blue Card Important?

The wall and ceiling trade in Australia has long faced the challenge of being largely unlicensed. This has created issues such as:

  • Workers with skills but no formal recognition.

  • Contractors relying on labourers without a structured way of assessing or monitoring their competencies.

  • Inconsistent quality and safety standards across worksites.

  • Lack of recognition by government policymakers of the trade as a regulated, professional industry.

The Blue Card addresses these challenges by:

  • Capturing the hidden workforce – registering workers who would otherwise be outside any formal framework.

  • Recognising skills – validating informal and on-the-job experience.

  • Building professionalism – requiring CPD to ensure workers remain current.

  • Supporting licensing advocacy – demonstrating that the industry can self-regulate and that a formal licensing pathway is both necessary and achievable.

By establishing a recognised industry standard today, the Blue Card paves the way for full government licensing tomorrow.

How the Blue Card Works

The Blue Card Program is simple, transparent, and worker-driven. It follows a step-by-step process designed to be practical for workers, supervisors, and contractors alike.

Step 1: Worker Informs Supervisor

A worker undertaking wall and ceiling work decides to apply for a Blue Card. The first step is to notify their supervisor of their intent.

Step 2: Supervisor Downloads Assessment Form

The supervisor visits the AWCI Australia website and downloads the Blue Card Worker Assessment Form. This form is used to record the worker’s skills, experience, and competencies as observed in the workplace.

Step 3: Supervisor Completes the Form

The supervisor completes the assessment form, providing details about the worker’s practical skills, experience level, and any training already undertaken.

Step 4: Supervisor Submits to AWCI Australia

The completed assessment form is submitted to AWCI Australia for review.

Step 5: AWCI Assessment

An AWCI Assessor reviews the form. The Assessor may:

  • Approve the form as submitted.

  • Request further information.

  • Undertake a formal or informal skills assessment with the worker to verify competencies.

Step 6: Verification

Once the assessment is complete, AWCI conducts a verification process to ensure the worker meets the requirements for entry into the program.

Step 7: Worker Membership Application

The worker is then invited to proceed with the Worker Membership Application to AWCI Australia.

Step 8: Membership Approval

Once the application is approved, the worker’s membership with AWCI Australia is confirmed.

Step 9: Issuing of Blue Card

The worker receives their official AWCI Australia Blue Card. Alongside the card, they are issued with a CPD Index, which outlines the continuing professional development requirements for the next three years.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Requirements

The Blue Card is not a one-off credential—it is a commitment to ongoing professional growth.

  • Every Blue Card holder must complete 100 CPD points over a three-year cycle to renew their card.

  • CPD can include:

    • Formal training courses.

    • Informal learning and workshops.

    • Supplier or manufacturer training sessions.

    • AWCI events, technical seminars, and industry briefings.

  • CPD is tracked against the CPD Index provided with each Blue Card.

At the end of three years, workers reapply for their Blue Card, submitting evidence of their CPD. This ensures that all Blue Card holders remain skilled, current, and professional.

Program Benefits

For Workers

  • Recognition of existing skills and informal learning.

  • A structured pathway into formal training and qualifications.

  • Professional credibility and a sense of pride.

  • Access to AWCI membership benefits.

For Supervisors & Contractors

  • Confidence that workers have been assessed and verified.

  • A practical workforce management tool.

  • Reduced risk of poor workmanship.

  • Demonstration of professionalism to clients and regulators.

For the Industry

  • A unified, national standard for plastering workers.

  • A proactive step toward licensing.

  • A stronger voice in government advocacy.

  • Improved safety, quality, and reputation across the sector.

Contact Information

For more information about the AWCI Australia Blue Card Program:

📞 Call 1800 313 110
🌐 Visit www.awci.org.au