Who Needs to Have an RSA Certificate in Queensland?

After January 1, 2009 it became mandatory for all Queensland bar staff and liquor licensees to be in receipt of a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate. In Queensland all staff dealing with the sale or supply of liquor need to have an RSA, this includes bar staff, glass collectors, floor staff, room service staff, liquor licensees and approved managers.

Registered Training Organisations: The RSA training is delivered in every state and territory by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). While there is a national RSA course, it's worth double-checking an RTO is accredited in the state or territory in which you wish to use your RSA certificate.

For instance, in Queensland the completion of the national RSA course is accredited toward prior learning, meaning you're eligible to complete an RSA bridging module. Upon completion of the Queensland-specific bridging module, you then have an RSA certificate that will allow you to lawfully work in the liquor industry in Queensland. Each state has its own liquor authority; Queensland's is the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing (OLGR). There is a register of all RTOs registered for that particular state available from the liquor authority in any given state; in Queensland this information is available from OLGR. Nationally, this information can be found at the National Training Information Service (NTIS).

How to Get an RSA in Queensland: RTOs can provide the RSA course online or face-to-face. The online course takes approximately two to three hours to finish, while face-to-face it can take up to six hours to complete.

Both delivery types, online and face-to-face, contain the same modules, content and certificate upon successful completion. To complete the RSA training online all you need is a computer, access to the internet and a printer.

It's important to undergo the RSA training, not only because there are fines of thousands of dollars if you're working without one, or because your employer, the licensee, is required to keep a copy in the workplace or face their own fines, but because the RSA was implemented to create a safer society. Throughout Queensland alcohol is readily available, but having bar staff and other employees be aware of when to refuse someone service and how to assist someone who has been adversely affected by their alcohol consumption, is important to ongoing societal development.

The RSA training also teaches liquor industry employees the following:
• identify customers who should be refused service,
• responsibly prepare alcoholic drinks,
• responsibly serve alcoholic drinks,
• assist patrons to drink within appropriate limits and
• to assist patrons who are adversely affected by alcohol consumption.

All staff are required to undergo RSA training again once their RSA certificate is due to expire. While new employees have one month from their commencement of employment to obtain an RSA certificate.


------

James Knight writes on behalf of various businesses to help consumers find valuable information about products and services. For further information about this topic see RSA QLD and for further information click here Responsible service of alcohol QLD