How to Get Your RSA Certificate
You’ve decided you need a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA). Maybe you’ve already lined up a bar job, or you’re trying to get one and every listing says you must have current RSA.
Either way, you want to know how to get your RSA, not read a 2,000-word essay about why alcohol is regulated.
Fair enough. Here’s the process from start to finish, including what’s different in each state and how to avoid the mistakes that slow people down.
How to Get Your RSA Step by Step
Four steps. You could realistically be done by this afternoon.
- Check your state’s rules first. Each state has its own approved training providers and a couple of quirks in the process. Victoria has an extra module through Liquor Control Victoria. NSW requires a competency card application after the course. Most other states are more straightforward. The table further down 👇 covers all of this.
- Pick a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). This is the part people sometimes get wrong. Your RSA must come from an RTO that’s approved in the state where you want to work. There are cheap courses floating around online that aren’t properly accredited, and a certificate from one of those won’t get you through the door of any venue worth working at.
- Complete the course and pass the assessments. The course is a mix of reading material, videos, scenario-based questions, and quizzes. Nothing that’ll stump you if you’ve been paying attention. Most providers let you have multiple attempts at the assessment, so the pressure isn’t as intense as you might expect.
- Get your Statement of Attainment. That’s your certificate. The nationally recognised one. Many providers issue it same-day by email once your assessments are marked. In NSW, you’ll also need to apply for your competency card through Service NSW, which can take a little longer.
Online or In Person?
Every state allows online RSA courses now. They’re self-paced, you can start and stop when you want, and most people finish in a single sitting. If you’re the kind of person who works better with a screen and a cup of coffee at your own kitchen table, this is the way to go.
In-person courses run as a single day at a training centre. Same content, but with a trainer in the room and other students around you. Some people find this easier. You can ask questions in real time, and there’s less temptation to get distracted by your phone.
Victoria is the exception worth knowing about. Regardless of whether you do your course online or face-to-face, you need to complete an extra module through Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) to receive your Victorian Certificate of Completion. It’s not difficult, but it is an extra step that other states don’t require. But don’t skip it. If you don’t have it, your RSA isn’t valid for work in Victoria.
What the RSA Course Covers
The course is more practical than you’d think. It’s not just rules and regulations. A decent chunk of it is about handling real situations you’ll face on the floor.
You’ll cover how alcohol affects the body and how to recognise when someone’s had enough before it becomes a problem. There’s a section on checking IDs: what to look for, how to handle fakes, and when to call for backup. The biggest focus is on refusing service. This explains how to say no firmly without escalating the situation. And it’s the one skill you’ll use more than any other.
On the legal side, you’ll learn what your responsibilities are under your state’s liquor laws, what happens if things go wrong, and where the liability sits. It’s worth paying attention to this bit. The fines for getting it wrong don’t just land on the venue. In some instances, they can land on you personally.
RSA Requirements by State
The core training is the same across Australia, but each state has its own rules around approval, delivery, and any extra steps after the course.
| State/Territory | Online Allowed? | Approved By | Extra Steps |
| VIC | Yes | Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) | Must complete LCV module after RTO course |
| NSW | Yes | Liquor & Gaming NSW | Apply for competency card via Service NSW |
| QLD | Yes | Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation | None |
| WA | Yes | Dept of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries | None |
| SA | Yes | SA Liquor and Gambling Commissioner | Must use a Commissioner-approved RTO |
| TAS | Yes | Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Branch | None |
| ACT | Yes | Access Canberra | None |
| NT | Yes | NT Government | None |
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Planning to work in more than one state? A nationally recognisedRSA (SITHFAB021)is accepted in most places. Victoria and NSW are the main exceptions. They both have state-specific requirements on top of the national qualification. |
How Much Does an RSA Cost?
Somewhere between $35 and $180 for most providers. The price varies by state, delivery method, and what’s included. Some places advertise a low course fee and then charge separately for enrolment, assessment, or printing your certificate. Read the fine print before you hand over your card details.
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At CHT, there are no hidden fees. The price covers everything: course access, assessments, and your Statement of Attainment. |
How Long Does the Course Take?
Most people finish in four to six hours. In-person courses are typically a single day. Turn up in the morning, leave in the afternoon with your assessments submitted.
Online courses are self-paced, so if you already know a bit about hospitality or you’re a fast reader, you might be done sooner.
Get Your RSA With CHT
Complete Hospitality Training has been running RSA courses for over 35 years. Our trainers are hospitality professionals who’ve spent real time behind bars and on floors. The training reflects what actually happens in venues, not just what’s written in a textbook.
We run RSA in Melbourne at our Elizabeth Street campus in the CBD and offer RSA Online for anyone who’d rather do it from home. Both give you a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment, and we’re here to help if you hit a snag along the way.
If you’re thinking beyond the RSA, a solid next step for anyone serious about building a career in the industry.
Book your RSA course or give us a call.
Getting Your RSA Certificate FAQs
Can I start working before my RSA certificate arrives?
- In NSW, your interim certificate covers you for 90 days while you wait for the competency card. Other states vary. Some let you start once your Statement of Attainment is issued, others expect it in hand. Check with your employer before your first shift. In Victoria you can work for 30 days without an RSA, but you must complete an approved Victorian Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course within one month of starting employment.
What do I need to bring or have ready before I start the course?
- You’ll need a valid photo ID (driver’s licence, passport, or proof-of-age card) and a Unique Student Identifier (USI). The USI is free and takes a few minutes to set up at usi.gov.au. Without it, your RTO can’t issue your certificate.
What happens if I fail the RSA assessment?
- Most providers give you multiple attempts, so it’s not a one-shot deal. If you don’t pass the first time, go back through the sections you struggled with and try again. The questions are based directly on the course material, so if you’ve done the reading, you’ll be fine.
Will my RSA certificate work for delivery driver jobs?
- In states where alcohol delivery requires RSA training, yes, the same nationally recognised Statement of Attainment applies. Requirements are still evolving though, so confirm with your delivery platform before you start.
