RSA legislation in Australia: a state-by-state guide
Every state and territory requires alcohol-serving staff to hold a current RSA certificate, but whether it expires, how often it needs renewing, and what you need on hand for a spot check all depend on where your venue operates.
The core unit is the same everywhere, though some states add their own content on top: SITHFAB021: Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol. What differs is whether that certificate expires, how often it needs refreshing, and what extra paperwork a state bolts on top.
This guide breaks down the rules by state, then covers who needs an RSA, which businesses it applies to, and how employers track certificates at scale.
New South Wales
Staff complete an RSA course approved by Liquor & Gaming NSW, covering responsible service practices, identifying intoxication, and handling difficult situations. Completion gets a worker an interim RSA certificate, followed shortly after by a photo competency card from Liquor & Gaming NSW. The current course code is SITHFAB021. The certificate needs renewing every five years.
Victoria
RSA training in Victoria must run through a provider approved by Liquor Control Victoria (LCV), the regulator that took over responsibility for licensing training providers and issuing certificates. The course covers the effects of alcohol, legal requirements, and refusal of service, and now includes a mandatory module on recognising, preventing, and responding to sexual harassment and assault (SHARPR).
Completion gets a worker a Victorian RSA Certificate of Completion. The course code is SITHFAB021. The older SITHFAB002 code was phased out and is no longer accepted for new certificates. The certificate is valid for three years, after which staff complete a free RSA refresher through LCV’s online portal. As of 1 December 2025, the Certificate of Completion is only issued through that portal.
Queensland
The RSA course runs through a Registered Training Organisation approved by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR), covering legal responsibilities, harm minimisation, and identifying signs of intoxication. Completion gets a worker a Statement of Attainment for the unit of competency, current code SITHFAB021. Older course codes, like SITHFAB009A (active 2009 to 2013), remain valid if that’s what a worker’s Statement of Attainment shows. The certificate does not expire, though OLGR recommends refresher training to stay current on legislation.
South Australia
The course runs through a provider approved by Consumer and Business Services (CBS), covering legal obligations, the effects of alcohol, and refusal of service. Completion gets a worker an RSA certificate, current code SITHFAB021. The certificate does not expire.
Western Australia
RSA courses run through an accredited RTO, with curriculum focused on responsible service practices, the effects of alcohol, and managing patrons. Completion gets a worker a Statement of Attainment, current code SITHFAB021. The certificate does not expire, though ongoing professional development is encouraged.
Tasmania
The course runs through an approved provider, covering legislation, the effects of alcohol, and handling difficult situations. Completion gets a worker a Statement of Attainment, current code SITHFAB021. The certificate does not expire, though regular updates on legislative changes are recommended.
Australian Capital Territory
The course runs through a provider approved by Access Canberra, covering legal responsibilities, recognising intoxication, and harm minimisation. Completion gets a worker an RSA certificate, current code SITHFAB021. Unlike Queensland, SA, WA, and Tasmania, the ACT certificate does expire: workers must renew every three years through an Access Canberra-approved provider, either by repeating the full course or completing an approved refresher.
Northern Territory
The course runs through an approved provider and covers the effects of alcohol, legal requirements, and responsible service techniques. Completion gets a worker an RSA certificate, current code SITHFAB021.
One point needs confirming before this goes live: sources disagree on the NT renewal cycle. NTrefreshRSA, the refresher platform run in partnership with the NT Government and Hospitality NT, states certificates need renewing every five years. Several training providers still advertise a three-year cycle, which matches the rule introduced when the current Liquor Act took effect in October 2019. Worth a direct check with NT Licensing before we publish a number, since the two sources contradict each other.
Who needs an RSA
- Bar staff and bartenders
- Venue licence holders
- Bottle shop staff
- Hospitality team members
- Management and supervisors overseeing alcohol service
- Bussers and support staff
- Hotel room service staff
- Club directors
- Security staff
- Airline cabin crew
Which businesses this applies to
- Hospitality venues: pubs, clubs, cafes, and restaurants that serve alcohol
- Packaged liquor outlets: bottle shops, convenience stores, and supermarkets selling alcohol
- Wineries, breweries, and distilleries selling alcohol on site
- Airlines serving alcohol on board
- Cruise lines and ferries serving alcohol
- Online liquor retailers, since staff handling customer interactions still need RSA training
What HR and site managers need ready for a spot check
A police officer or licensing inspector can walk in unannounced, and every state expects the same thing when they do: proof of a current RSA certificate, produced on the spot, not tracked down after the fact. Several states go further and require a register on the premises listing every server and their certificate. The certificate that’s sitting in an old email, a manager’s personal drive, or a filing cabinet at head office doesn’t help the person standing in front of an inspector.
The safest approach is to keep a digital or printed copy of every staff member’s RSA certificate available on site, alongside a live register showing who’s covered and when each certificate needs renewing. That way, whoever’s rostered on can produce the paperwork immediately, whichever state they’re in.
This is what MyCheck and the RSA Register in CheckWorkRights are built for. MyCheck collects each employee’s RSA certificate directly through their own portal, so HR isn’t chasing photos of certificates over email. CheckWorkRights verifies each document and keeps it on record, with the weekly RSA Summary Report giving site managers a certificate-by-certificate view of who’s current and who’s due for renewal, segmented by site so each location sees only its own staff. When an inspector asks, the certificate is one search away, not a phone call to another department.
Sources
- New South Wales: Liquor & Gaming NSW – Responsible Service of Alcohol; competency card renewals
- Victoria: vic.gov.au – RSA training; Liquor Control Victoria Learning Hub
- Queensland: Business Queensland – RSA certification
- South Australia: Consumer and Business Services – RSA approved providers; SA.GOV.AU – responsible person
- Western Australia: DLGSC – mandatory training; DLGSC – liquor training
- Tasmania: Treasury and Finance Tasmania – responsible service of alcohol
- Australian Capital Territory: Access Canberra – RSA Training Program Renewal (PDF)
- Northern Territory: NT.GOV.AU – Responsible service of alcohol
