Free Verification of Competency Template

Purpose of the Free Verification of Competency Template

A Verification of Competency (VOC) is a crucial process for any Australian business to confirm that workers have the current skills, knowledge, and experience to perform a task safely and competently. This is particularly important for high-risk work or operating plant and equipment.

Our Free Verification of Competency Template provides a structured starting point for developing your own assessment tool. It helps you document evidence that a person can apply their qualifications in the context of your specific workplace, equipment, and procedures.

Using a standardised template ensures consistency in how you assess different operators or tasks. It forms a key part of your safety management framework, demonstrating that you are actively managing risks by ensuring your team is competent. This process is a practical way to meet the primary duty of care under WHS law and is a fundamental component of effective WHS management systems.

How to use the Free Verification of Competency Template

This document is a general template designed to be adapted for a wide range of tasks and equipment. It includes sections for assessor details, worker information, assessment criteria (combining theory questions and practical observation), and a final declaration of competence.

To use it effectively, you must add specific, relevant criteria for the exact task or piece of machinery being assessed. The questions and practical checks should directly relate to your operational procedures, the manufacturer's instructions, and your site-specific safety rules.

Important: This is a template, not a finished document. We have provided a framework, but you must customise it to suit your specific workplace, equipment, and risks.

The criteria for a Verification of Competency (Water Cart), for instance, will be vastly different from the checks needed in a Free Drill Press VOC (Verification of Competency) Template. A generic, non-customised assessment will not be effective or defensible.

When to use it

A VOC assessment is not a one-time event. It should be conducted at various points during a worker's employment to ensure skills remain current. Common triggers for conducting a VOC include:

• Pre-employment or pre-contract: To verify the skills and claims of a new hire or contractor before they start work.
• Introduction of new equipment: When a worker is required to use a new or different model of plant.
• Post-incident: After an accident or near miss to identify if a lack of competency was a contributing factor.
• Identified performance issues: If a supervisor observes unsafe work practices or a drop in performance.
• Periodic re-assessment: At regular intervals (e.g., every 1-3 years) as part of an ongoing competency assurance program, which may be identified during a WHS compliance auditing process.

Who should use it

This template is designed for use by competent personnel responsible for workplace safety and training. This typically includes:

• Supervisors and Line Managers: They are often best placed to observe day-to-day work and assess competency in the operational environment.
• WHS Managers and Advisors: To ensure a consistent and compliant process is followed across the organisation.
• Internal Trainers and Assessors: For formalising the assessment process and maintaining training records.
• Project Managers: To verify the competency of workers and subcontractors on a project site, whether they are operating a Verification of Competency (Rough Terrain Forklift) or other specialised machinery.

The person conducting the VOC must themselves be competent and have the technical knowledge and experience with the specific equipment or task being assessed. For complex scenarios or high-risk activities, engaging external WHS consulting professionals may be necessary to ensure a robust and impartial assessment.

You can find many more specific templates in our free WHS resources library to support your safety programs.