A common question on Australian work sites: "I've already got my licence — why do I need a VOC as well?" It's a fair question, but the two are not the same thing, and confusing them can leave gaps in your compliance.
What a licence actually proves
A high-risk work (HRW) licence, a driver's licence, or a plant ticket is a legal authorisation. It says you met the minimum requirement to legally operate a particular class of equipment. It's usually issued once, after a formal training course and assessment, and it's valid for a set period.
A licence proves you were trained — it does not prove you are currently competent.
What a VOC adds
A Verification of Competency (VOC) is a current, evidence-based check that a worker can still safely operate equipment or perform a task to the required standard today. It looks at:
- Recent experience and operating history
- Current knowledge of the equipment and its safe operating procedures
- Practical demonstration against documented competency criteria
A VOC is typically refreshed every couple of years, and it's what principal contractors increasingly ask for before letting a worker on site.
Why employers ask for both
A licence is the baseline legal requirement. A VOC is the assurance that the worker is still sharp and safe right now. Employers and site managers use the VOC to close the gap between "qualified on paper" and "competent in practice" — especially for workers who haven't operated a particular machine recently, have changed employers, or are returning from a break.
Which do you need?
In most cases: both. The licence keeps you legal; the VOC keeps you working. If you're a worker, having a current VOC alongside your licence makes you faster to mobilise on any site. If you're an employer, requiring VOCs reduces your risk and strengthens your audit trail.
Keep it current
Both expire. Track your licences and VOCs, renew before they lapse, and make sure every certificate you carry can be verified. Accreda issues instantly verifiable VOC certificates so you can prove competence on demand — no chasing paperwork, no delays at the gate.