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RSA: State / Territory Requirements Overview

Information accurate as of 29/12/2009.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Is RSA Training Mandatory?

Is this Course Approved?

No.

The RSA course is not mandatory by law within the ACT but employers may require it.

Yes.

This is a Nationally Accredited Course, so it is approved in the ACT.

New South Wales (NSW)

Is RSA Training Mandatory?

Is this Course Approved?

Yes.

Responsible service of alcohol training is mandatory for licensees and serving and security staff under the NSW liquor laws.

This includes volunteers and club directors who serve liquor from time to time. This training program must also be completed by security staff who have crowd control duties at licensed premises.

No.

RSA training conducted interstate is not recognised in NSW. Only RSA courses approved by the NSW Casino, Liquor & Gaming Control Authority are recognised.

Northern Territory (NT)

Is RSA Training Mandatory?

Is this Course Approved?

Yes.

Changes to legislation in late 2008 now make it obligatory for anyone who serves alcohol to be RSA certified. New staff must obtain their RSA within one month of employment.

Existing staff will have until 1 August, 2009 to be trained. RSA certification from interstate will be accepted.

Yes.

This course fulfils the Northern Territory’s mandatory RSA training requirements.

Queensland (QLD)

Is RSA Training Mandatory?

Is this Course Approved?

Yes.

From the 1 January 2009, following amendments to the Liquor Act 1992, ALL licensees must ensure that the following people have completed an RSA training course:

  • the licensee (if an individual)
  • approved managers
  • any staff member at the premises who serves or supplies liquor

Staff members include bartenders, glass collectors, floor hostesses, room service staff.

Staff members employed prior to 1 January 2009 will have until 30 June 2010 to complete the required training.

Staff members employed after 1 January 2009 will be required to complete the training within 30 days of commencing employment.

Persons who live and reside in Queensland must undertake an approved Queensland RSA course.

Persons from WA, who move to Queensland, must undertake an approved bridging course (provided they already hold an approved WA RSA qualification).

Full details can be found here.

South Australia (SA)

Is RSA Training Mandatory?

Is this Course Approved?

According to the Office of the Liquor & Gambling Commissioner (OLGC) website:

The licensing authority must be satisfied that a person who is to be approved as:

  1. a responsible person, or
  2. a person who is to hold a licence and personally supervise and manage the business, or
  3. a person in a position of authority who will be actively involved in the supervision and management of the business

has the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience for that purpose.

If the licensing authority considers that the applicant does not possess the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience then the authority may require the applicant to undergo specific training within a specified period of time after the grant or transfer of the licence as a condition of approval.

Yes.

This course fulfils South Australia’s RSA training requirements.

Tasmania (TAS)

Is RSA Training Mandatory?

Is this Course Approved?

Yes.

In Tasmania, RSA training is mandatory for any person applying to hold a liquor licence, unless they are exempted by the Commissioner for Licensing. Exemptions may only be granted for special liquor licence applicants.

In addition, under the Liquor Licensing Act 1990, licensees must ensure that staff employed to serve liquor must undertake RSA training within three months of commencing employment.

No.

Tasmania’s Liquor and Gaming Branch (a division of the Department of Treasury and Finance) do not currently recognise online RSA courses.

Victoria (VIC)

Is RSA Training Mandatory?

Is this Course Approved?

Yes.

In Victoria, RSA training is mandatory for anyone:

  • Employed at a supermarket or stand alone bottle shop (which holds a packaged liquor licence)
  • Working at a venue which has a condition that requires staff to have an RSA certificate, on its licence
  • Who is applying for a new liquor licence

No.

Online training does not currently meet Victoria's mandatory RSA training requirements.

Western Australia (WA)

Is RSA Training Mandatory?

Is this Course Approved?

Yes.

The RSA course is mandatory by Law for all persons serving or supplying alcohol.

Yes.

This course fulfils Western Australia’s mandatory RSA training requirements.

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