Required: To work on any construction site.
Time: ~6 hrs (Zoom + online)
Required: To serve alcohol legally in Australia.
Time: ~4–6 hrs (self-paced)
Required: For gaming/pokies venues in QLD, SA, NT.
Time: ~4 hrs (online)
Required: For handling food in commercial kitchens.
Time: ~3 hrs (online)
If you’re looking to get qualified online for work — RSA, White Card, Food Handling, or RSG — you’ve probably seen a wide range of websites claiming to offer “instant” or “government approved” certificates.
Some of them are legitimate. Others are not only a waste of money, but also won’t be recognised by employers or regulators.
The problem? A certificate might look real, but unless it meets Australian training and licensing requirements, it won’t count — and in some industries, that can get you fined or banned from working.
This article breaks down how to tell the difference between a valid online course and one that won’t get you anywhere.
We’ll explain what’s legal in each state, what employers actually accept, and how to avoid being ripped off.
We get this question all the time: “Are online courses legit?” The short answer is yes — but only if you train with a properly registered provider. If it seems too cheap, too fast, or too easy, those are all red flags you need to be aware of".
For a course to be legally recognised in Australia — and accepted by employers — it must be delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that’s authorised to provide that specific qualification.
These RTOs are regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) or, in some cases, state-based regulators.
It’s not enough for a provider to simply offer an online course.
They need to meet strict national training standards, use qualified trainers, and issue certificates with nationally recognised course codes.
If those elements aren’t in place, the certificate might be worthless.
Here’s what to look for before enrolling:
| What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| RTO Number | Only registered RTOs can issue nationally recognised qualifications. Look for their number and verify it on training.gov.au. |
| Course Code | Each course should have a national code (e.g., SITXFSA005 for Food Handling). If it’s missing, the course isn’t nationally accredited. |
| State-Specific Approval | Some qualifications (like RSA and White Card) are regulated by individual state laws. Check that the provider is approved for your state. |
| Trainer Qualifications | Trainers must hold relevant qualifications to assess and certify you. If you're unsure, ask the provider who runs the course. |
We’ve seen students finish online courses, only to find out their certificate isn’t valid for work in their state — especially with RSA and White Card. Always check the fine print before you enrol. A quick check on training.gov.au can save you hours of wasted time and money.
Not all online courses are legally accepted in every state.
Some states allow full online delivery, while others require face-to-face or virtual classroom-style training with live interaction.
Here’s what you need to know for each qualification:
White Card training is regulated at the state level. While some states accept online White Card courses, others only accept face-to-face courses.
If you complete your training through an RTO in the wrong state, your card might not be accepted where you plan to work.
RSA training is state-specific and highly regulated.
Some states accept online RSA courses, while others require face-to-face or virtual classes. Make sure your RSA is valid in the state where you want to work.
RSG rules vary by state and aren’t as widely enforced as RSA — but many employers still require a valid certificate.
Online RSG courses are accepted in most states, but some employers prefer in-person or virtual training.
Nationally recognised food handling courses can be completed fully online in all states — as long as it’s through a compliant RTO.
Many councils and hospitality businesses accept online food safety certificates, but always double-check with your employer or local authority if you're unsure.
“Online” doesn’t always mean “easy.” Some courses require live assessments, ID verification, or interactive sessions — even if they’re online. We build our virtual delivery to meet both the legal requirements and what employers expect, so you're not caught out later.
When you're applying for jobs in hospitality, construction, or venues, employers care less about whether you trained online or in-person — and more about two things:
If your training meets those two criteria, you're usually good to go.
Most employers won’t ask *how* you did the course — they just want to know it’s valid and current.
To be accepted Australia-wide, your training must:
| Requirement | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Delivered by an RTO with a valid RTO number | This means the Online White Card course provider is regulated under the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) |
| Includes the correct unit code | For example, Food Handling should include “SITXFSA005” or the current version |
| Complies with the training package requirements | Assessment and delivery must match what’s set out by SkillsIQ or other industry bodies |
| Is current, not superseded or expired | Employers may reject certificates that are out of date or no longer recognised |
Certificates from dodgy online sites — especially those that don’t issue a Statement of Attainment from an RTO — can get you rejected from jobs or fail compliance checks at work.
We get calls every week from people who did cheap online training only to realise it wasn’t accepted. Don’t risk your job — make sure your course is nationally recognised, up to date, and delivered by a real RTO.
Yes — online training is 100% legitimate in Australia when it's delivered by a registered training organisation (RTO) that meets national standards.
But whether it’s accepted depends on the type of course you’re doing and where you live.
Here’s the breakdown:
If you’re unsure, check the local state or territory government website — or ask the RTO directly before enrolling.
We’ve seen a shift. Employers and regulators are now more focused on the quality of training, not just the delivery method. If your course is from a legit RTO and matches legal requirements, you’re good to go — online or not.
Still not sure if a course is valid for your job or state? We’re happy to help — contact us before you enrol and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Look for their RTO number and verify it on training.gov.au — the official national register. If they’re not listed, don’t enrol.
You won’t be able to use the certificate to work legally — and in some cases, presenting a non-accredited certificate can lead to fines or license suspension.
Yes, as long as it’s from an approved RTO and valid in your state. Employers don’t care whether it’s online or in person — they just need to know it meets legal training requirements.
Cheap courses are often non-accredited or missing mandatory units. If it looks too good to be true, check for the RTO number and unit codes. Accredited training has minimum content and assessment standards — it’s not just a quick quiz and a PDF.
That depends on the provider, but a compliant RTO should issue your certificate within 24–48 hours of successful completion and identity verification. Instant downloads are only okay if assessments have actually been marked.
At National Online Courses, we only offer government-recognised training that meets legal requirements in every state. Whether you're after your RSA, White Card, RSG, or Food Handling certificate — we’ve got you covered with courses that are flexible, fast, and fully compliant.
All our training is delivered by experienced, accredited trainers through a registered RTO. No shortcuts. No dodgy certificates. Just real qualifications that employers trust.
Browse our courses and get started today — or reach out if you have questions about what’s required in your state.
