Verification of Competency (VOC)
In mining, construction, civil works, logistics and other high-risk industries, having the right qualification or licence is only part of the picture. Workers also need to be able to demonstrate that they can safely and competently perform the tasks required of them.
That is where a Verification of Competency (VOC) assessment can help.
A VOC provides a structured way to verify that an experienced worker has the skills and knowledge required to safely perform a specific task, operate particular machinery or meet workplace and site requirements.
For employers, contractors and workers, a VOC can provide documented evidence of current competency and help support safer, more compliant workplaces.
What is a Verification of Competency (VOC)?
A Verification of Competency is an assessment used to confirm that a worker can demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to perform a specific job or operate particular equipment safely.
Unlike initial training, a VOC is generally intended for people who already have experience, training, a licence or an existing competency relevant to the task being assessed.
Depending on the type of VOC, assessment may involve:
Knowledge questions
Discussion with an assessor or competent person
Practical demonstrations
Observation of operating procedures
Equipment inspections
Hazard identification and risk controls
Safe operating procedures
Workplace or site-specific requirements
The exact assessment requirements depend on the task, equipment, workplace and competency being verified.
WorkSafe WA highlights that training alone does not necessarily demonstrate that a worker remains competent. Its guidance recommends a formal, documented process for verifying workers' skills and knowledge, particularly for safety-critical and infrequently performed tasks.
Why is VOC important?
Skills can change over time.
A worker may have years of experience operating machinery, but if they have not used a particular machine for an extended period, have moved to a different workplace or are required to operate different equipment, their current competency may need to be verified.
WorkSafe WA identifies skill degradation or skill fade as a potential issue when workers do not perform tasks regularly. The likelihood of skill fade can increase with the length of time a skill is not used and the complexity of the task.
A VOC can help employers identify whether a worker is able to perform the required task safely and whether additional training or support may be necessary.
For employers, a documented competency assessment can also form part of a broader workplace training and competency management system.
When might you need a VOC?
There is no single situation that applies to every workplace. VOC requirements are often determined by an employer, principal contractor, site operator or workplace competency management system.
A VOC may be requested when:
Starting with a new employer
A worker may already have extensive experience and the required qualifications but still be asked to complete a VOC before operating equipment at a new workplace.
This allows the employer or site to verify the worker's current ability against its workplace requirements.
Moving to a new site
Different sites can have different procedures, equipment, hazards and operating requirements.
A VOC can help verify that a worker understands and can apply the required safe operating practices in the relevant workplace environment.
Returning to work after a period away
If a worker has not operated a particular type of plant or performed a task for an extended period, a competency assessment can help identify whether their skills remain current.
This is particularly important for complex or safety-critical tasks.
Operating different machinery
Experience on one machine does not necessarily mean a worker is competent on every make, model or type of equipment.
For example, an employer may require a VOC before a worker operates a particular model of excavator, forklift, telehandler or other item of plant.
Meeting client or site requirements
Mining, construction and major infrastructure projects often have their own competency requirements for workers and contractors.
A VOC may be required as part of a company's onboarding, mobilisation or site access process.
Who can benefit from a VOC?
VOC assessments are commonly used across industries where workers operate plant, machinery or perform high-risk activities.
Depending on the assessment available, this can include:
Mining workers
Civil construction workers
Construction workers
Plant operators
Forklift operators
Telehandler operators
EWP operators
Doggers
Riggers
Scaffolders
Crane operators
Earthmoving equipment operators
Vacuum excavation operators
Contractors and labour-hire workers
The type of evidence required will depend on the specific competency being assessed.
VOC vs training: what's the difference?
One of the most important things to understand is that a VOC is not the same as completing initial training.
Training is designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed to perform a task.
A VOC is designed to verify existing competency.
For example, someone who has never operated a particular type of machinery may need training before they can be assessed as competent.
An experienced operator who already has the relevant skills may instead be asked to complete a VOC to demonstrate that their competency is current.
If the assessment identifies gaps in knowledge or practical skills, additional training may be recommended before the worker performs the task independently.
Is a VOC the same as a high-risk work licence?
No.
A VOC does not automatically replace a high-risk work licence where one is legally required.
For example, Queensland requires workers performing relevant classes of high-risk work to hold the appropriate High Risk Work Licence, subject to specific legislative exceptions.
A VOC is generally used to verify a worker's competency for a particular task, machine, workplace or employer requirement.
This distinction is important because a worker may have a valid licence but still be required by an employer or site to complete a VOC before commencing work.
WorkSafe Queensland recommends verifying the currency of a required licence as well as the competency of the worker before high-risk work begins.
Is a VOC the same as refresher training?
Not necessarily.
A VOC assesses whether a worker can demonstrate the required competency. Refresher training, on the other hand, is designed to reinforce or update skills and knowledge.
In some situations, a worker may need refresher training because an assessment identifies a gap in their skills or knowledge.
The appropriate approach should be determined by the workplace's competency requirements, the task being performed and the worker's demonstrated level of competence.
For safety-critical or infrequently performed tasks, WorkSafe WA recommends considering competency verification and refresher training based on the likelihood of skills deteriorating over time.
What happens during a VOC assessment?
The assessment process depends on the course and competency being verified.
At Civil Safety, VOCs may be completed online or face-to-face. Online VOCs can combine knowledge questions with practical demonstration evidence, while face-to-face assessments can be conducted at a training facility or on-site with an industry professional.
For example, a forklift VOC may assess areas such as:
Pre-operational inspections
Hazard identification
Load assessment and handling
Safe lifting and stacking
Forklift operation
Workplace traffic management
Safety and legislative responsibilities
The practical requirements will depend on the specific VOC and the equipment or task being assessed.
What happens if I don't pass a VOC?
A VOC is an assessment of competency. If a worker cannot demonstrate the required skills or knowledge, this may identify a training or competency gap.
That does not necessarily mean the worker cannot perform the task permanently. Instead, the assessment can help identify the areas that require further training, practice or supervision before the worker is considered competent.
This is one of the benefits of a structured competency assessment: it provides an opportunity to identify gaps before they contribute to an incident.
VOCs for mining and construction
Competency verification is particularly important in mining, civil construction and other industries where workers regularly interact with heavy machinery, mobile plant, lifting equipment and other high-risk activities.
WorkSafe WA audit guidance, for example, includes verification that personnel undertaking high-risk work are competent on each item of plant or equipment they use and have the required licence where applicable.
WorkSafe WA has also highlighted the importance of verifying competency for specific equipment and tasks. In one 2025 safety bulletin, the regulator identified risks associated with spotters who had not been verified and assessed as competent for the specific equipment involved.
This reinforces an important principle:
Having experience or holding a licence does not necessarily demonstrate competency for every workplace, machine or task.
What types of VOC assessments are available?
Civil Safety offers a range of Verification of Competency assessments for workers across Queensland and Western Australia.
Depending on your requirements, VOC options include assessments for areas such as:
Forklifts
Dogging
Rigging
Scaffolding
Telehandlers
Elevating Work Platforms
Skid Steers
Vacuum Excavation
Other plant and equipment
Some assessments can be completed online with practical demonstration evidence, while others are available face-to-face.
Upon successful completion, Civil Safety can issue a VOC award containing relevant competency and machinery details, along with a QR code that allows employers and worksites to verify the assessment.
How often should you complete a VOC?
There is no universal VOC expiry period that applies to every task, machine or workplace.
VOC frequency may be determined by:
Employer requirements
Site requirements
Client requirements
Workplace competency procedures
The complexity of the task
How frequently the worker performs the task
Changes to equipment or procedures
The level of risk associated with the work
Evidence of skill degradation
For this reason, workers should check with their employer, principal contractor or site before assuming that a previous VOC will meet current requirements.
The bottom line
A Verification of Competency is more than a compliance document. It is a practical way to confirm that workers have the skills and knowledge needed to perform their jobs safely.
For workers, a VOC can provide documented evidence of current competency when starting with a new employer, moving between sites or meeting specific workplace requirements.
For employers, it can form part of a broader system for managing training, competency and workplace risk.
Most importantly, a VOC should be viewed as part of an ongoing approach to maintaining competency - not as a substitute for the training, licensing, supervision and experience required to perform high-risk work safely.
Ready to verify your competency?
Civil Safety offers flexible VOC assessments across Queensland and Western Australia, with online and face-to-face options available for a range of plant, machinery and high-risk work activities.
Already experienced and need to demonstrate your competency? Explore Civil Safety's range of Verification of Competency assessments and find the option that suits your work requirements.