What is an RSA Certificate in Australia?

Any time you visit a bar, restaurant, or nightclub in Australia and ask staff if they hold an RSA certificate, chances are they’ll all say “yes”! No one can serve drinks without holding one!

An RSA certificate, short for Responsible Service of Alcohol, is necessary for anyone working with alcohol at a licensed venue in the country. Whether you’re serving beers at a pub, running the bar at a hotel, operating the counter at a bottle shop, or providing wine at a vineyard, you need to hold an RSA certificate.

This guide provides essential information about RSA certificates. What they are, who needs to obtain one, what training is involved, any differences in the laws governing RSA certificates between states, and how to easily obtain the RSA certification from an approved training provider.

What is an RSA Certificate?

An RSA certificate, or Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate, is a nationally recognized training qualification in Australia. Having one shows that you have completed the necessary training to provide responsible and lawful service of alcohol at a licensed venue.

All states require RSA certificates, and no genuine business involved in providing alcoholic drinks would allow you to serve drinks without holding one.

The Official Training Unit

The RSA training course is based on the nationally recognized training unit SITHFAB009 – Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol. This unit forms part of the Hospitality Training Package and provides information on the skills and knowledge required to provide responsible service of alcohol in a licensed venue.

The main focus of this training is to teach you how to identify and deal with signs of drunkenness, understand the laws about serving or providing alcohol, and manage difficult situations without putting customers or venues at risk.

Having undertaken this training with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) results in being issued with a Statement of Attainment, which proves that you have met the necessary qualifications.

What Topics are Covered in RSA Training?

RSA training involves more than just “knowing when to stop serving.” Below are details of what is covered during RSA training courses:

• Australian liquor laws and the role of those who serve or supply alcohol
• Identifying signs of drunkenness: including less obvious ones often missed by others
• Understanding your duties of care and how to apply them while serving at a bar
• How to politely but firmly refuse to serve alcohol to customers: including dealing with customers who create a scene
• The laws related to serving alcohol to young people, including methods to check ages
• Ways to promote sensible drinking habits within your venue
• How to handle problems that arise, including involving your manager or security staff

You then have to pass an assessment at the end of the RSA course. It is straightforward to complete, but you need to show a good understanding and attention to detail.

Who Needs an RSA Certificate in Australia?

Any person who serves or provides alcohol at a licensed venue requires an RSA certificate. However, getting to know the specifics of where the RSA certificate is required can help avoid legal issues or losing out on job opportunities.

Roles That Require an RSA Certificate

If your job involves any of the following, you need to obtain an RSA certificate before you can legally work:

• Bar staff and bartenders at pubs, clubs, and hotels
• Restaurant waiters who take drink orders or serve alcohol at the table
• Workers at bottle shops selling packaged liquor for consumption off- premises
• Staff working at wine cellar doors at vineyards, breweries, and distilleries.
• Casual and event staff working at events that provide alcoholic drinks, including weddings, festivals, and corporate events
• Hotel, venue, and bar managers and supervisors are responsible for managing areas providing alcohol services
• Some gaming floor staff in states that permit licensees to provide alcohol

When Do I Need an RSA Certificate?

The rules regarding when to acquire an RSA certificate vary by state. Almost all Australian states require completion of RSA training prior to serving alcohol. Queensland differs slightly, requiring staff at licensed venues to complete their RSA training within 30 days of commencing employment.

In New South Wales, you need to hold an RSA certificate prior to commencing employment. The card remains valid for 5 years, with a mandatory updating system in place.

All states suggest obtaining the RSA certificate before beginning to seek out any hospitality jobs. Most employers will only roster you to do floor service work once you have presented proof of holding a current RSA certificate.

RSA Rules Differ Across Australian States

Although RSA is a national qualification, each state and territory has its own RSA compliance authority, rules of delivery, and conditions of certificate expiration.

Details of RSA rules and requirements for each state/territory are outlined below to help you identify which apply to you.

Please note that Victoria requires special mention. Upon completing your RSA training with a registered training organisation, you will be provided with a nationally recognised Statement of Completion. 

To be able to work at any Victorian licensed venue, you must also complete the LCV Bridging Module. This is a short additional requirement covering specific laws relevant to VIC. LCV is provided by the Victorian Government at no cost to you.

How Can I Obtain an RSA Certificate?

You can join a training to get an RSA certificate. The required training can be completed in just one session, which is approximately 3-6 hours, depending on the state and mode of delivery. Here is an outline of what is needed to obtain an RSA certificate:

Step One: Choose the RSA Course

RSA certification is state-specific. A certificate obtained in QLD may not meet the necessary requirements to work in NSW, and vice versa. Make sure to enrol in the course relevant to the state where you plan to work. Also, check if the training provider has been approved by your state’s liquor licensing authority.

You can check any training provider’s RTO registration on the training.gov.au. Be aware that an RSA certificate issued by an unregistered training provider is invalid, and presenting it to an employer or liquor inspector could lead to serious consequences.

Step Two: Complete the Training and Assessment

Most RSA courses cover all necessary training materials in a single session. Self-paced online courses available in QLD, VIC, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, and NT enable you to study at your own pace.

In NSW, however, the RSA course needs to be completed via a live, instructor-led virtual class with a trainer running the session in real time.

The assessment at the end of the course includes scenario-based questions to test how you would deal with challenges such as serving alcohol safely. If you complete the training thoroughly, many students pass the assessment on their first attempt.

Step Three: Get your Statement of Attainment

Upon completing the RSA training and assessment successfully, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. That’s the document that proves you have completed the necessary training to serve alcohol responsibly. In almost all states, you can get the Statement of Attainment immediately and show it to your employer on the same day.

In NSW, however, you will also be provided with an interim certificate along with your Statement of Attainment.

This interim certificate allows you to start working immediately while your official RSA Competency Card is being processed and delivered to you via Service NSW, a process which may take a few weeks.

Can You Complete Your RSA Online, and Is It Legitimate?

Yes, you can complete the RSA certificate online legally in all Australian states, provided you choose a training provider approved by your state’s liquor licensing authority.

Taking online RSA training is not a shortcut or loophole, it is the normal mode of training available in many states.

Online vs Face-to-Face RSA Training

In most states, taking online RSA training leads to the same legal outcomes as attending face-to-face training. The learning materials, assessment criteria, and qualification obtained are identical. The key difference is in the convenience of doing the training from home or from anywhere else convenient to you, instead of going to a training centre.

New South Wales (NSW) has an exception with regard to completing the RSA online. To complete your RSA in NSW, you will need to complete live, instructor-led online sessions, which cannot be pre-recorded or self-paced.

Online training providers must provide training conducted by qualified trainers in real time. This condition has been set by Liquor and Gaming NSW, and any provider offering a fully self-paced NSW RSA course is contravening NSW state laws.

Finding a Registered Training Organisation

Always check that your registered training organisation (RTO) is listed on training.gov.au and check with your local liquor licensing authority as well to confirm that they offer RSA training in your state.

National Online Courses (RTO 41072) is a government-approved training provider providing RSA training courses online across all states and territories, including New South Wales (live instructor-led), Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, ACT, and Northern Territory.

You can find our courses at noc.edu.au, obtain your RSA certificates on the same day and can book training sessions throughout the week.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an RSA certificate and Statement of Attainment?

This question answers one of the common confusions between two documents related to RSA course. A statement of attainment issued by your training organisation upon completing the RSA training course is what you call the RSA certificate.

Most states consider it an RSA certificate, except for New South Wales, where you will get a physical competency card via Service NSW, which you carry to your place of employment.

Do I need a separate RSA certificate for each state I work in?

Although RSA certification is state-specific, yes, you do need to acquire RSA relevant to the state where you are working. Some states allow mutual recognition of interstate RSA qualifications, NSW and Victoria have some additional requirements to consider. Always contact your state’s liquor licensing authority to clarify whether your RSA qualification is transferable.

How long does it take to complete the RSA course online?

Most self-paced online RSA courses take 3-6 hours to complete, depending on your reading speed and how well you know the content. The NSW instructor-led live session is timed. After you complete the course and pass the assessment, your Statement of Attainment will be given to you on the same day.

Can I work while I wait for my RSA competency card to arrive in NSW?

Yes. In NSW, you receive an interim certificate immediately after completing your RSA study. The interim certificate can be used by licensed venues and allows you to serve alcohol lawfully until your official competency card arrives. Keep the interim certificate safe until your physical competency card arrives.