RSA Certificate in Australia
If you are applying for a job in the hospitality industry in Australia and also sell alcohol, then you need the so-called RSA certificate. What the Australian RSA is, where you can get it and how much it costs, you will find out in this article.
What is the RSA certificate?
The RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) certificate is required in Australia if you serve or sell alcohol to customers as part of your job. You need the RSA whether you work in a bar, restaurant, pub or bottle store. This regulation applies in all states in Australia.
During the RSA training, you will learn a lot about the legal regulations on alcohol and how to responsibly serve and sell alcohol. (e.g. How to recognize drunk people or how to avoid serving alcohol to young people).
How much does an RSA certificate cost?
The cost varies from AUD 24 to AUD 150 depending on where you take the course. For all states except Victoria, you can also complete the RSA online.
Cost Overview:
- Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory: $ 24 online
- Victoria: only $ 60 on site
- New South Wales: $ 125 online and $ 140 on site
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How long is the RSA certificate valid?
All RSA certificates are valid for 5 years. After that, a refresher course must be completed.
How do I get an RSA certificate?
In order to receive your RSA certificate, you must complete a course/training. You can either do this at an RSA training center or easily online (but not for Victoria).
Tip: I searched online for the cheapest school in Melbourne at the time, and immediately completed a package of courses with all 3 certificates: Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA), Responsible Service of Gambling (RSG) and the Food Handling Course (RSF). Was it worth it? In the end, I didn't work in a casino after all, so the RSA itself would have been enough.
Is an online course valid for the RSA certificate?
Yes, but not all courses are accredited. In order for your online course to be recognized, you need an accredited RSA certificate.
ATTENTION: The website -> https://rsaonlinenow.com.au/ is SCAM!!! This course is not accepted.
Tip: I recommend Express Online Training (40592 Accreditation). The company offers different courses for different states. (Course code: SITHFAB002 – Provide responsible service of alcohol).
These online courses for RSA certificate in Australia are accepted:
For QLD, WA, SA, NT and NSW I recommend the company EOT. They offer various courses online.
- ONLINE RSA CERTIFICATE for QLD, WA, SA, NT – $24 incl. discount
- ONLINE RSA CERTIFICATE for NSW – $125 incl. discount
Is the RSA certificate valid for the whole of Australia?
Because each state in Australia has its own alcohol laws, there is no RSA certificate that applies to all states. So you will need a new RSA if you want to work in a new state.
Tip: To save money, do your RSA training only where you want to work.
Do I even need an RSA certificate?
If you want to work in the hospitality industry where alcohol is also sold, then you absolutely need an RSA certificate. If you do not have your RSA, then you can only work where alcohol is not sold. To increase your chances of getting a job, we recommend that you take a course.
When should you do your RSA certificate?
It is best to have your RSA certificate before you apply for a job. Then you can include the RSA in your resume. However, it is not mandatory to have the RSA beforehand. Especially jobs in restaurants allow you to submit your RSA in the first weeks after starting.
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How much can you earn in Australia?
Read more in the article: “What is the minimum wage in Australia?“
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August 11, 2023 @ 4:36 pm
Good morning,
First of all, thank you so much for your website and all the great material in it, it is helping me a lot!
In early October I will move to Australia as a backpacker (got the tickets to start in Melbourne). In the meantime, I am trying to gather some information before landing and starting working. One of them is about the RSA certificate, for which I have a simple question:
Can I get my RSA certificate before arriving in Melbourne?
I do have a visa number, although I saw that Victoria state has some more strict rules (like USI number and more classroom training?). In case that the answer is positive, do you have any accredited course suggestions, which do not require a USI number or others?
Again, many thanks for your help!
Sincerely,
Mara
August 13, 2023 @ 3:35 am
Hi Mara,
thanks for the comment.
From our experience, it’s best to just look for the RSA after arriving in Australia. Each state has a bit of a different process around it. It is in theory possible to do the RSA before, but it’s way easier in Australia.
We don’t have course recommendations, but other backpackers in Melbourne might point you towards where they did theirs.
Cheers Julian