RSA expiry and renewal by state

RSA issued in one state is not automatically enough in another. Victoria and Queensland each publish their own recognition rules. If someone will work in a different state, check that state’s official page before they start.

New South Wales

In NSW, RSA is recorded as an endorsement on a Liquor & Gaming NSW competency card. Liquor & Gaming NSW and Service NSW say the card is valid for 5 years.

• You can renew from 90 days before the card expires.
• Renewal is by completing the official L&GNSW refresher course, not by repeating a full RSA course with a training provider. Completing a full course before expiry will not extend the current card.
• If you hold more than one endorsement (for example RSA and RCG), they all expire 5 years from the earliest endorsement.
• After a full RSA course, an interim certificate is valid for 90 days and allows the person to work while they apply for the competency card.
• You cannot sell, serve or supply alcohol on an expired card.
• A 28-day grace period after expiry applies only if the person completed a Service NSW proof of identity check before the card expired. They still cannot work during that grace period.

Liquor & Gaming NSW says it cannot extend a competency card expiry date. Reminders are sent by email and SMS if contact details are up to date.

Victoria

Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) says you need a current RSA Certificate of Completion to supply alcohol at certain Victorian licensed venues, including general, on-premises, late night and packaged liquor licences.

• You must complete the free LCV RSA Refresher course every 3 years to keep the certificate current.
• The refresher is online, takes about 90 minutes, and needs the original RSA certificate number.
• Employers must keep a copy of the certificate on site. LCV says they can be fined if they do not.
• You can check whether an RSA certificate is valid in LCV’s certificate status tool.
• Training must be completed before the person starts supplying alcohol, or within one month of first supplying alcohol.

Interstate RSA is not automatically accepted. LCV has a separate bridging process, and says the interstate training must have been completed within the last 3 years and meet its other published criteria.

Queensland

Business Queensland says most staff who serve or supply alcohol in licensed premises must have a valid RSA certificate, and must complete training within 30 days of starting employment.

• The required qualification is the nationally recognised unit Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol, currently coded SITHFAB021, completed through an RTO. The evidence is a Statement of Attainment, not a statement of attendance.
• Queensland does not issue an RSA card.
• Older unit codes with the same name remain valid, including SITHFAB002, SITHFAB009A and THHBFB09B.
• “Valid RSA certificates don’t expire. Most valid RSA statements of attainment remain valid no matter what the course code was when you completed it.” You only need to complete accredited RSA training once, unless you completed it before 2002, in which case it is not valid.
• Licensees must keep copies of staff Statements of Attainment on the premises for inspection. Business Queensland says they do not need to keep an RSA training register.

Western Australia

The WA Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety says all staff engaged in the sale, supply or service of liquor need to complete, at a minimum, the nationally accredited RSA course. If they have not already completed it, they must do so within 28 days of starting, and a copy of the RSA certificate must be given to the employer.

An RSA card issued by another state or territory is not accepted as evidence in WA — the employer needs a copy of the RSA certificate. If someone is unsure whether earlier training is still accepted, the department says to check its mandatory training policy for the list of previous courses it will accept. Unlike NSW and Victoria, this official page does not set a 3-year or 5-year RSA refresh cycle for bar staff. (An approved manager card is a separate credential and lasts 5 years.)

Other states and territories

South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory each have their own liquor authorities. Do not assume a NSW, Victorian or Queensland rule applies there. Check the official liquor regulator in the state or territory where the person will work.