RSA Certificate in Australia: A Complete Guide for Hospitality Jobs

If you want to build a career in Australia’s vibrant hospitality industry and your role involves serving or selling alcohol, you’ll need an RSA certificate. It’s not just a recommendation it’s a legal requirement across all states and territories. Without it, most employers won’t consider your application.

From bars and restaurants to cafés, clubs, bottle shops, and major events, RSA training is essential for anyone handling alcohol in the workplace. In this guide, we’ll cover what RSA is, why it’s required, how to get certified, and how long it takes.

RSA stands for Responsible Service of Alcohol. It’s a short but compulsory course designed to ensure hospitality workers understand how to serve alcohol safely and responsibly.

During your RSA training, you’ll learn about:

• Australian alcohol laws and regulations

• Identifying and managing intoxicated customers

• When and how to refuse service

• The legal responsibilities of staff in licensed venues

Once you pass the assessment, you’ll receive your RSA certificate, which allows you to work in licensed venues within your state or territory.

By law, anyone serving alcohol in Australia must hold a valid RSA.

Hospitality employers take this requirement very seriously because venues risk losing their liquor licence if they hire staff without RSA certification. That’s why most hiring managers look for “RSA Certified” on a CV before anything else.

Although SOL Edu does not provide RSA training, here’s the process you’ll need to follow:

1. Select an accredited training provider
   Each state and territory has its own list of approved RSA providers. Always check that your chosen provider is recognised in the state where you plan to work.

2. Complete the RSA course

   • In NSW, RSA must be completed through an approved provider, either online or face-to-face.

   • In VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, and ACT, online training is generally accepted.

3. Attend the full session (if in-person)
   Arriving late can mean exclusion, so make sure to be on time.

4. Pass the assessment
   You’ll need to show that you understand the key laws and responsibilities through short quizzes or scenarios.

5. Receive your certificate
   In most states, the certificate is available straight after the course. In NSW, you’ll first get a temporary certificate, followed by a photo competency card by mail.

• Face-to-face: 5–6 hours in one day

• Online: Self-paced, usually completed within a few hours

• Certificate issue: Same day in most states (except NSW, where you wait for the competency card)

• NSW: Must be renewed every 5 years

• Other states/territories: Usually valid indefinitely (though some employers may request refresher training)

Without an RSA, you won’t be able to work in any licensed venue in Australia. Employers won’t shortlist applicants without it, regardless of past hospitality experience.

While SOL Edu doesn’t provide RSA training, we support international students and graduates in preparing for life and work in Australia. Our team can guide you on:

• Finding the right study pathways in hospitality, tourism, or business

• Understanding work requirements while on a student or graduate visa

• Exploring career opportunities that match your skills and visa goals

If you’re planning to study or work in Australia’s hospitality industry, reach out to our advisors. We’ll help you take the right steps so you can focus on building your career with confidence.