What is RSA?
An RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) certificate is a mandatory qualification for anyone working in Australia in roles that involve selling, serving, or supplying alcohol. It certifies that the individual has received training on responsible alcohol service practices, which are aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm and promoting safe environments in venues that serve alcohol, such as bars, restaurants, and events. Responsible service of alcohol is an important element of the Australian Hospitality Industry as it helps reduce alcohol-related incidents.
The RSA course teaches essential skills like recognising intoxication, understanding legal obligations, managing difficult situations, and knowing how to refuse service when necessary. RSA certification is legally required across all Australian states and territories, but specific regulations, course requirements, and validity periods can vary by region.
Completing an RSA course provides a nationally recognised SITHFAB021 Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol Statement of Attainment and allows you to work in licensed venues.
Why do you need an RSA?
In Australia, anyone working in a role that involves the sale, supply, or service of alcohol is legally required to hold an RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) certificate. This includes people working in:
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Hospitality: Bartenders, waitstaff, and other front-of-house staff in bars, pubs, clubs, and restaurants.
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Retail: Staff in liquor stores, bottle shops, and other retail establishments that sell alcohol.
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Event Staff: Employees or volunteers at events where alcohol is served, such as festivals, concerts, and sporting events.
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Security Personnel: Security staff who monitor patrons in venues where alcohol is consumed, as they may need to manage situations involving intoxicated customers.
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Supervisory and Managerial Roles: Managers and supervisors in establishments where alcohol is served or sold must also have RSA certification, as they are responsible for overseeing the compliance of staff. These roles include duty manager, bar manager, restaurant manager, gaming manager, operations manager and venue manager.
What is RSG?
RSG stands for Responsible Service of Gambling. It is a government mandated qualification that is required for anyone who works in a gambling environment. This includes sports clubs with pokie machines, casinos or betting centres.
This training equips people with the knowledge and skills to identify, manage and minimise gambling related harm. In the course, you will gain the nationally recognised unit of competency SITHGAM022 Provide Responsible Service for Gambling. This course is designed for those who want to work in the gambling industry in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Why do you need an RSG?
In Queensland (QLD), Western Australia (WA) and Northern Territory (NT), the following individuals are required to hold an RSG.
Gaming duties include:
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Supervise employees who are responsible for the conduct of gaming
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Supervise the access to the internal parts of a gaming machine
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Supervise money clearances
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Issue keys for the security of gaming machines to employees
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In QLD, supervise entries in accounting records required to be kept and maintained under the QLD Gaming Machine Act 1991
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In WA, supervise entries in accounting records
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In NT, supervise entries in accounting records required to be kept and maintained under the Gaming Control Act 1993
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Arrange repairs to gaming equipment
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In QLD, perform or witness payouts over $500 (as the designated gaming employee)
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In WA and NT, perform or witness payouts (as the designated gaming employee)\
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Prepare self-exclusion orders/exclusion direction
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Prepare a revocation notice for an exclusion direction
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Make an entry in Form 3G ‘Register of Excluded Persons’
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Prepare a Form 3R ‘Report on Excluded Persons’
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Prepare a Form 3H ‘Notice of Contravention’
Should you get both RSA and RSG?
Having both an RSA and an RSG certificate is an excellent idea as it allows you to be employed in more places.
If you only plan to work in bars and restaurants without any gambling activities, then getting an RSA is more than enough. However, if you think you might work at a venue that has pokies or any other form of gambling then definitely get your RSG.
