How Long Does an RSA Last?

You’ve done your RSA, landed a few shifts, and you think life’s good. Then one day someone asks: “Is your RSA still valid?” And suddenly you’re not sure.

Fair enough. The answer depends entirely on which state or territory you’re in. And, unfortunately, the rules are different enough to trip people up. Here’s how things stand in every state, what to do if your RSA has expired, and what you need to do if you ever move interstate.

So, How Long Does an RSA Actually Last?

Anywhere from three years to forever. Seriously.

Victoria, the ACT, and the Northern Territory all expect you to do a refresher every three years. NSW gives you five years. And in Queensland, WA, South Australia, and Tasmania, your RSA is valid for life. No refresher or no renewal needed.

But before you celebrate too hard, “no expiry” doesn’t mean you can coast. Liquor laws change, employers have their own expectations, and if you’ve been out of the industry for a bit, a refresher is still a smart move.

RSA Expiry by State and Territory

Here’s the full state-by-state breakdown. If you’re working across borders or about to move, this is worth saving to your phone.

State/Territory	How Long It Lasts	Refresher?	Where to Renew
VIC	3 years	Yes – free, online, every 3 years	Liquor Control Victoria
NSW	5 years	Yes – online through Liquor & Gaming NSW	Service NSW
QLD	No expiry	Nope	N/A
WA	No expiry	Nope	N/A
SA	No expiry	Not required, but encouraged	N/A
TAS	No expiry	Not required, but encouraged	N/A
ACT	3 years	Yes	ACT Government
NT	3 years	Yes – free, online	NTrefreshRSA

In Victoria, the refresher takes about 30 minutes and costs nothing. In NSW, you’ll get an SMS or email about three months before your competency card is up, so you won’t be caught off guard unless you’ve changed your number and forgotten about it.

Even when the RSA course code gets updated (it’s currently SITHFAB021 – catchy, right?), your existing Statement of Attainment stays valid. You don’t need to redo it just because the code changed.

Do RSA Certificates Actually Expire?

This one confuses people, so here’s what you need to remember.

Your Statement of Attainment (that’s the actual certificate from your RTO) doesn’t expire on its own. It’s a nationally recognised qualification and it stays that way.

What can expire is your ability to use it for work. State liquor regulators set the rules on that. So, in Victoria, your qualification is still legit, but if you haven’t done the refresher within three years, you can’t work in a licensed venue until you do.

The cert doesn’t expire. Your right to work with it can.

What Happens if You Let Your RSA Lapse?

Nothing good. If your RSA has expired and you’re still serving alcohol, you’re doing it illegally. That means potential fines for you and your employer, and in some cases, risk to the venue’s liquor licence.

But before you panic, sorting it out is usually pretty quick. Most refresher courses are free, done online, and take less than an hour. A lot less painful than explaining to your manager why you can’t work the weekend.

Moved Interstate? Read This First

Your RSA from one state will generally work in another, but there are a few things that can catch you out.

If you got your RSA in NSW, your interim certificate and competency card are NSW-specific. Interstate employers usually need to see your Statement of Attainment. That’s the nationally recognised document, not the RSA.

Same story with Victoria’s Certificate of Completion.

Even if your cert is valid, the liquor laws in your new state might be different from what you were trained on. Doing a state-specific course means you’ll actually know the rules where you’re pouring, not just the ones from where you used to.

Moving to Victoria, NSW, or the ACT from a state with no expiry? Check with your new employer before your first shift. Some will want a refresher or bridging course whether the law requires it or not.

Keeping Your RSA Sorted

This stuff only becomes a problem if you forget about it. A few easy wins:

• Snap a photo of your Statement of Attainment and keep it on your phone. If an inspector asks mid-shift, you’ll have it ready.
• Set a calendar reminder for a month before your RSA expires (that’s you, VIC, NSW, ACT, and NT).

Ask your employer what they expect. Some venues want refreshers every year, even in states where the RSA never expires.

Been out of the industry for a while? Do a refresher anyway. The laws might have changed since your last shift.

Get Your RSA With CHT

Complete Hospitality Training has been running RSA courses for over 50 years. We’ve been at this longer than most pubs have been open.

Our RSA Melbourne course runs at our campus on Elizabeth Street, right in the CBD. We also offer RSA Online if you’d rather do it from the couch, no judgement. Either way, you’ll walk away with a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment and training from people who’ve worked the floor.

Ready to go? Book your RSA course or give us a call if you want to chat about which option suits you.

RSA Validity FAQs

Do I need a new RSA if I change employers?

• No. Your RSA is tied to you, not your workplace. If it’s still valid in your state, you can take it from job to job without redoing the course.

Can I work while waiting for my RSA certificate?

• It depends on the state. In NSW, your interim certificate lets you start working straight away. In Victoria, you can legally work for up to 1 month prior to getting your RSA however most employers will required you have it from your first shift. Check with your employer to be safe.

Is my RSA still valid if I haven’t worked in hospitality for a few years?

• Legally, yes, but that’s also assuming it hasn’t expired under your state’s rules. But if it’s been a while, a refresher is worth doing. Liquor laws change, and walking back onto a busy floor without a refresher is a recipe for a rough night.

What’s the difference between a Statement of Attainment and an RSA competency card?

• Your Statement of Attainment is the nationally recognised certificate you get from your RTO. A competency card is a state-issued ID card. NSW is the main one that uses competency cards. You might need both depending on where you work, so hang onto everything you’re given.