Verification of Competency

Refresher Training or Verification of Competency (V.O.C.)

Current industry regulations require employers and ‘persons conducting a business undertaking’ (PCBU) to ensure their workers can clearly demonstrate their ability to perform the tasks related to their job role when plant is used.

Refresher Training or, as it’s called in the industry, a ‘Verification of Competency’ (V.O.C.) is a method of assessment that can be used to demonstrate the worker’s ability to operate equipment and/or undertake the responsibilities of these roles.

For Individuals
For Employers & PCBU

stamp_text_11289-15 Individuals: As a worker, you will often be asked by new employers to demonstrate your ability to operate the equipment and perform the tasks relevant to your job role. With the introduction of new regulations placing more responsibility on the employers to ensure their staff’s training is kept up-to-date, more and more companies are requiring workers to hold a Verification of Competency (V.O.C.) before they are able to commence work onsite.

Employers & PCBU: According to Safe Work Australia, it is now the legal responsibility of the employer to ensure that the skills of staff working on site are up-to-date and compliant.

In January 2012, a new set of Workplace Health and Safety laws were introduced, putting more responsibility onto the employer to undertake ‘all reasonably practicable measures to prevent the risk to health and safety occurring’. (Source: Safe Work Australia).

A licence or ‘ticket’ is no longer an adequate measure of your workers ability to perform their tasks and operate machinery in a manner compliant with regulations. In the unfortunate event there is an accident on site, will you be able to prove that you – as an employer – took every reasonable step to ensure the competency of your workers?

Encouraging your employees and contractors to complete their V.O.C. training – preferably before commencing work on site – will allow you to demonstrate that reasonable measures we have been taken to ensure the health and safety of all workers on site.

*Note – an operator MUST hold a current High Risk Licence or Plant Ticket to qualify for a Verification of Competency. A current licence or ticket is one that is still acceptable in the relevant industry or still renewable by a Regulator. Some jurisdictions allow 1 or 2 years for renewal after the stated expiry date of a Licence. Some tickets do not have expiry dates. If in doubt please contact us to clarify.

To get started, you can view a course preview in our online Course Library, or click the course below to read more about it:

So, what exactly is a V.O.C.?

	Is a method of assessment of the worker’s ability to operate equipment or perform tasks relevant to their job role.
	Allows employees or contractors to clearly demonstrate their skill levels, in turn ensuring their prospective employer is complying with regulations.
	Is often required by employers before individuals are even allowed on site.
	Is commonly used by employers during their pre-employment checks, site requirements and contract negotiations.
	Is NOT a licence or 'ticket' - individuals who attained their licence years ago may now be required to demonstrate an understanding of current industry standards and regulations.

For more information about your V.O.C., please see our FAQ page.

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Verification of Competency

Refresher Training or Verification of Competency (V.O.C.)