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If you are one of the 239,000 people currently in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, getting a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Certificate is essential for you to be able to work in hospitality roles involving alcohol. Fortunately, you can obtain RSA Certification online through nationally recognised training from the Australian Institute of Food Safety (AIFS) that enables you to start work quickly.
What is RSA and why do you need an RSA Certificate in Australia?
RSA stands for Responsible Service of Alcohol. An RSA Certificate shows that you understand how to serve alcohol legally and safely in Australia. This includes checking ID, refusing service when required and preventing alcohol-related harm.
In most states and territories, it is illegal to sell, supply or serve alcohol without valid RSA training. Employers must also ensure their staff hold a current RSA Certificate before starting work. If you’re on a Working Holiday Visa, having an RSA Certificate can significantly improve your job prospects in Hospitality, events and licensed venues.
Who needs an RSA Certificate on a Working Holiday Visa?
If your job involves alcohol in any way, you will likely need an RSA Certificate. This applies to many popular working holiday roles, including:
- Bartenders and bar staff
- Waitstaff serving alcohol
- Bottle shop and liquor store employees
- Event staff handling alcohol service
- Security staff working at licensed venues
Some roles require the RSA before your first shift. Others may allow a short grace period, but relying on this can cost you job opportunities. Completing your RSA course early puts you in a stronger position when applying for work.
Tip: If you plan to travel and work across multiple states, confirm whether your RSA Certificate will be accepted or if additional steps are required.
RSA course for security staff and crowd controllers
If you plan to work as a security guard, crowd controller or door staff at licensed venues, an RSA certificate is often mandatory.
The RSA course can help security staff identify intoxicated patrons and manage situations safely and effectively. Some states also require additional security or crowd control licences - check with your employer or state regulator to confirm what additional training is required.
Step-by-Step Guide to getting RSA Certification on a Working Holiday Visa
You can obtain your RSA Certificate online with the Australian Institute of Food Safety (AIFS) in four easy steps.
Step 1: Enrol in the AIFS RSA Course
The most efficient way to earn your RSA Certificate is by signing up for the AIFS RSA Course online. AIFS is a Registered Training Organisation that delivers a self-paced course that can be completed on any device, giving you the flexibility to study when and where it suits you with no in-person classes required.
Simply head to the RSA Course page and sign up to get started straight away. After registering, you’ll receive instant access to your secure online learning portal, allowing you to begin your training immediately.
Step 2: Work through online lessons and quizzes
The AIFS RSA Course consists of 16 engaging lessons designed to quickly build your knowledge of responsible alcohol service.
Lesson 1 - Social Impacts of Alcohol & RSA Responsibilities
Lesson 2 - Impacts of Alcohol on the Body
Lesson 3 - BAC
Lesson 4 - Standard Drink Measurements
Lesson 5 - Signs of Intoxication
Lesson 6 - Duty of Care & Harm Minimisation
Lesson 7 - Myths About Sobering Up
Lesson 8 - Alcohol Laws in Australia
Lesson 9 - Enforcement of Alcohol Laws
Lesson 10 - Acceptable IDs
Lesson 11 - Minors & Proof of Age
Lesson 12 - Verifying IDs
Lesson 13 - When to Stop Service
Lesson 14 - How to Stop Service
Lesson 15 - Getting Customers Home Safely
Lesson 16 - Organisational Policies & Procedures
Each module ends with a short multiple-choice quiz to help reinforce what you’ve learned before you move on to the next lesson. You can complete the training at your own pace, with up to 12 months of online course access from the date you enrol.
Step 3: Complete RSA assessments
After finishing all lessons and quizzes, you will complete a series of assessment tasks designed to confirm your knowledge and practical skills relating to responsible alcohol service.
Case study activities
You’ll be presented with two short, real-world scenarios. Each case study includes multiple-choice questions that assess how you would apply RSA principles in practical situations.
Reading activity
The reading activity focuses on understanding workplace policies and procedures related to alcohol service. You will review sample in-house policy documents and complete a short multiple-choice quiz to demonstrate your knowledge of safe service practices.
Practical skills assessment
To meet government competency requirements, you must also demonstrate your ability to serve alcohol responsibly. You can choose to do this either through an Observer Report* or a Virtual Video Assessment. All submissions are reviewed by a qualified AIFS assessor, who will confirm your results.
If you have worked in the Australian hospitality industry within the past 12 months, you may nominate a manager or supervisor who serves alcohol as part of their role to verify your skills using the provided Observer Report form.
*Please note, this assessment type is not available in Victoria.
If you choose the Virtual Video Assessment option, you will be required to record yourself completing key RSA tasks using a webcam, computer or mobile device. You will receive detailed instructions by email on how to access the interactive recording tool. While you can complete this at any time, it is best done after finishing the course content and quizzes.
Final exam (Victoria only)
Students completing the RSA in Victoria must also pass a final online exam to receive a Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) Certificate of Completion. The exam consists of 20 multiple-choice questions, and a score of 100% is required to pass. You have up to three attempts to achieve a perfect score.
Quality assurance checks
As part of AIFS’s quality assurance process, you may be contacted to confirm your assessment details or discuss your competency before your certificate is issued.
Step 4: Receive RSA Certification
Once you’ve successfully completed all learning and assessment activities, you will receive your Statement of Attainment displaying the relevant unit of competency: SITHFAB021 - Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol.
This Statement of Attainment* is your proof of RSA Certification and will be emailed to you for download and printing, ready to present to employers or inspectors.
*If you complete the Victoria RSA Course, you will receive a Statement of Attainment and a Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) Certificate of Completion after completing the online Sexual Harassment and Assault: Recognise, Prevent and Respond (SHARPR) module through LCV. This additional certification is required for anyone who wants to work in roles that involve serving, selling, or supplying alcohol in Victoria.
Start your RSA training today
Whether you already have a Working Holiday Visa or are in the process of getting one, now is the time to gain the RSA Certification you need in order to work at a licensed venue in Australia.
Getting your RSA certificate is a straightforward step that opens the door to many hospitality jobs across Australia. By choosing a widely recognised course and understanding your local requirements, you can get job-ready and secure a role quickly.
Start your RSA training today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I get my RSA after I arrive in Australia?
A. Yes. You will only be able to complete the final steps of the course once you are in Australia. The earlier you can complete it, the quicker you will be able to commence employment in a licensed premises once you arrive.
Q. How long does an RSA Certificate last?
A. RSA validity periods vary by state. Some states require renewal after a set number of years (such as Victoria), while others have no expiry.
Q. Do security staff need to take the RSA course?
A. Yes, if working in licensed venues, security personnel will be required to complete RSA training. It is the same RSA course for security staff as it is for bartenders, managers and waitstaff.
Q. Does Australia require RSA for international students working in licensed venues?
A. Yes. RSA requirements apply to international students in the same way they do to Australian citizens and Working Holiday Visa holders.
International students must complete RSA training to work in licensed venues. To enrol, you’ll need valid identification and must complete the course in English, per unit of competency requirements. The same RSA certificate can usually be used alongside your studies, provided you comply with your visa’s work-hour restrictions.
