Verification of Competency (VOC)
Under Australian WHS legislation, employers have a duty to ensure that all workers are provided with “suitable and adequate” training and assessment to protect themselves and others from workplace health and safety risks.
While nationally recognised qualifications confirm a person’s competence at the time of assessment, skills and knowledge can fade over time if they are not regularly applied. To maintain safe and compliant operations, employers must ensure their workers remain current and competent in the tasks they perform.
At Premier Standards, we offer comprehensive, nationally recognised assessments to help employers maintain safe, compliant workplaces throughout Australia.
Why VOC is Important
A Verification of Competency (VOC) is a practical assessment process used to confirm that a worker can still demonstrate the required skills and knowledge for a particular task or piece of equipment. It is often required by employers, principal contractors, and site managers to confirm the currency of competency before granting site access or work approval.
If a worker regularly performs the relevant tasks in their role, a VOC is a time-efficient and cost-effective method to validate their ongoing competency without requiring full retraining.
If a worker has not used their skills recently, or if there have been significant changes in legislation, equipment, or industry best practice, refresher training or re-enrolment in the full unit of competency may be recommended.
Many employers and worksites in Australia consider a unit of competency older than 24 months to be no longer current without evidence of ongoing use or verification.
Our VOC Process
At Premier Standards, we are dedicated to helping maintain safe and compliant work sites throughout Australia, ensuring all VOCs are conducted to the same high standard as nationally recognised training.
Each VOC is:
- Mapped to the relevant unit of competency, ensuring it aligns with current industry benchmarks.
- Contextualised to your worksite, where possible, to ensure practical relevance.
- Conducted by qualified assessors who hold current competencies, vocational experience, and industry expertise.
We can conduct VOC assessments:
- Onsite at your workplace, to minimise downtime and disruption.
- At our Premier Standards training facilities, using industry-standard equipment and assessment conditions.
Participants must provide evidence of their previous formal training and qualification, such as a Statement of Attainment or High Risk Work Licence, for the skill being verified.
Duration
The duration of a VOC assessment depends on the number of participants and the skill areas being verified. Typically, most VOCs are designed to be efficient and convenient, completed in approximately two to four hours. For larger groups or more complex skill assessments, the process can take slightly longer to ensure accurate assessment.
Outcomes
Workers who successfully demonstrate competency will receive a Verification of Competency (VOC) statement, confirming the specific skills verified.
Those who are unable to demonstrate current competency will receive written feedback detailing any gaps identified, along with recommendations for refresher training or re-assessment.
Available VOCs
At Premier Standards, we currently offer Verification of Competency for the following skills:
- Working at Heights
- Elevated Work Platform (EWP) under 11 metres
- Elevated Work Platform (EWP) over 11 metres
- Forklift Operation
- Confined Space Entry
- Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Scaffolding
- Excavator Operations
- Wheeled Front End Loader Operations
- Roller Operations
- Skid Steer Loader Operations
- Other competencies upon request
How to Arrange a VOC
Contact our team to discuss your individual or workplace requirements, number of participants, and skill areas to be verified. We’ll provide a tailored quote and help you schedule your VOC either onsite or at one of our Premier Standards training facilities. Contact us today to maintain a safe and compliant workspace.