Verification of 
Competency (VOC)

Training records are important, but when plant, equipment or high-risk work is involved, managers need confidence that workers can apply those skills safely in real workplace conditions.

Under Australian WHS laws, employers and persons conducting a business or undertaking, known as PCBUs, have a duty to provide workers with the information, training, instruction and supervision needed to keep them safe at work.

A Verification of Competency, commonly known as a VOC, is a practical assessment process that helps businesses confirm whether a worker can currently demonstrate the skills and knowledge required for a specific task, piece of equipment or high-risk work activity.

At Pinnacle Safety and Training, we believe that any VOC must be held to an equal standard to the VET unit of competency. This is why all our VOC programs are mapped back to the unit of competency and then contextualised to the actual worksite where possible. In cases where sites have a well-developed VOC checklist for a given skillset, we are pleased to assess against this.

What is a Verification of Competency?

A Verification of Competency (VOC) is an assessment process used to confirm whether a worker can currently perform a task safely and competently.

Unlike retraining, a VOC is generally used when a worker already holds the relevant qualification or unit of competency and has been regularly applying those skills in the workplace. The VOC process allows the worker to demonstrate current competency through a structured assessment.

For employers, a VOC can be a practical, time-efficient and cost-effective way to support workplace capability, site safety and WHS compliance.

When should a worker complete a VOC?

A VOC may be appropriate when a worker:

• Already holds the relevant unit of competency or formal training evidence
• Has been regularly applying the skill in a work environment
• Needs to demonstrate current competency before commencing work on site
• Is moving between sites, employers or projects
• Is required to meet client, principal contractor or site-specific competency requirements
• Operates plant, equipment or undertakes high-risk work activities

Where a worker has not used the skill regularly, or where there are clear gaps in knowledge or performance, refresher training or re-sitting the relevant course may be more appropriate.

Many worksites also apply currency requirements for units of competency, with 24 months commonly used as a benchmark. However, requirements may vary between industries, clients and sites.

Why choose Pinnacle for VOC assessments?

Not all VOC assessments are created equal.

Because VOC assessments sit outside the formal VET system, quality and assessment standards can vary significantly between providers. A poor VOC process can create false confidence and expose businesses to unnecessary risk.

At Pinnacle Safety and Training, our VOC assessments are designed to be robust, practical and aligned to the relevant unit of competency wherever applicable. We can also contextualise the assessment to your worksite, equipment, operating environment and specific task requirements.

Our VOC assessors hold relevant units of competency, have vocational experience and are industry professionals with practical knowledge of the work being assessed.

How the VOC process works

Contact Pinnacle to discuss your requirements. We will work with you to understand:

• The number of workers requiring assessment
• The skillsets or equipment being verified
• The location of the assessment
• Any site-specific requirements
• Whether the VOC needs to align to internal checklists or client requirements

VOC assessments can be conducted on-site or at selected Pinnacle training facilities across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.

Workers must provide evidence that they have completed formal training and hold the relevant national unit of competency being verified.

How long does a VOC take?

The duration depends on the number of workers, the skill sets being assessed and the complexity of the task or equipment.

As a guide, many VOC programs are approximately four hours in duration. For larger groups, multiple skillsets or site-specific requirements, Pinnacle can provide a tailored quote.

VOC assessment outcomes

Workers who successfully demonstrate competency will receive an ID card stating the VOC attained.

Workers who are unable to demonstrate competency will receive written feedback outlining the areas where competency was not demonstrated and the type of gap training recommended before reassessment.

In some cases, Pinnacle may recommend that the worker completes refresher training or re-sits the relevant nationally recognised course before attempting another VOC.

VOC assessments Pinnacle offers

Pinnacle can conduct Verification of Competency assessments across a range of high-risk work activities, including:

• Working at Heights
• Tower Climbing and Rescue
• EWP under 11 metres
• EWP over 11 metres
• Forklift
• Confined Space Entry
• Operate Breathing Apparatus

Arrange a Verification of Competency

If you need to verify worker competency for site access, contractor management, plant operation or high-risk work, Pinnacle can help. Enquire below or call us on 1300 990 810 to discuss your requirements.