Key Takeaways
- Your RSA number depends on where you completed your training, as each Australian state and territory has different requirements.
- In most states, your RSA details are on your RSA certificate or Statement of Attainment. In NSW, your RSA number is linked to your RSA Competency Card Holder Number (CCH).
- If you’ve lost your RSA certificate, you can find your training records in your email, USI account or by contacting the registered training organisation that issued your qualification.
- Your RSA number does not expire, but your RSA qualification may require refresher training depending on where you work.
- Keeping a copy of your RSA certificate and knowing where to find your RSA details can make it easier when applying for hospitality jobs or moving between states.
If you’re applying for a hospitality job, there’s a good chance an employer will ask for your RSA number. But as simple as that request might sound, actually locating your RSA number might be confusing as there isn’t one standard RSA number used across Australia.
Depending on where you completed your Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course, the number an employer is asking for could be your RSA competency card number, your Statement of Attainment number or simply the certificate number printed on your RSA certificate.
The good news is that it’s usually easy to find once you know where to look. In this guide, we’ll explain how to find your RSA number, what it looks like in each Australian state and what to do if you’ve lost your certificate.
What is an RSA number?
An RSA number is the identifying number attached to your RSA qualification. Employers use it to confirm you’ve completed the required training to legally sell or serve alcohol.
Unlike some licences, there isn’t a national RSA register or a single numbering system used throughout Australia. Each state and territory has its own requirements, which is why the number you’re looking for depends on where you completed your course.
In most states other than NSW, employers use your RSA certificate or Statement of Attainment as proof that you’ve completed your training. If they ask for an RSA number, they are usually referring to the certificate number associated with your qualification. New South Wales is the exception, as workers receive an official RSA Competency Card with its own card number.
The Easiest Ways to Find your RSA number
If you’re not sure where to find your RSA number, don’t worry, it’s usually quite easy to locate. There are several places you can check, depending on how and where you completed your RSA training. Start with the options below, as one of them will often have the information you need.
Start With Your RSA Certificate
The quickest place to look is your original RSA certificate or Statement of Attainment. This document is issued after you successfully complete your course and contains the identifying number employers usually need.
Depending on the training provider, this may be labelled as a Certificate Number, Certificate ID or Statement Number. Although the wording can vary, these numbers all identify your qualification.
Check Your Email
If you completed your RSA course online, your certificate was almost certainly emailed to you after you finished the training.
Search your inbox for terms such as RSA, Responsible Service of Alcohol, Statement of Attainment, SITHFAB021 or the name of your training provider. Many people find their certificate within minutes simply by searching their email history.
Log Into your USI Account
Every nationally recognised RSA course is linked to your Unique Student Identifier (USI). If you’ve lost your certificate, your USI transcript may show your completed training and identify the registered training organisation (RTO) that issued it.
While the USI itself is not your RSA number, it can help you locate your qualification and request another copy if needed.
Contact your Training Provider
If you’ve lost your certificate altogether, contact the organisation that delivered your RSA course.
Registered training organisations are required to keep student records and can usually issue a replacement Statement of Attainment or certificate after confirming your identity. Some providers charge a small administration fee, while others provide replacement copies free of charge.
How to Find Your RSA Number in Each State
RSA requirements differ across Australia, but in most cases the process is straightforward.
| State or Territory | Where to find your RSA details |
| New South Wales | RSA Competency Card Holder Number (CCH) |
| Victoria | RSA certificate or Statement of Attainment number |
| Queensland | Statement of Attainment number |
| Western Australia | Statement of Attainment number |
| South Australia | Statement of Attainment number |
| Tasmania | Statement of Attainment number |
| Northern Territory | Statement of Attainment number |
| Australian Capital Territory | Statement of Attainment number |
New South Wales
New South Wales is the only Australian state that issues an official RSA Competency Card. If an employer asks for your RSA number, they are usually referring to the Competency Card Holder (CCH) number on this card.
You’ll find this number on your physical RSA Competency Card or by accessing your digital card through the Service NSW app. If you’ve lost your card, you can access your digital RSA Competency Card through Service NSW or request assistance if you need a replacement.
Victoria
Victoria does not issue a separate RSA card. Instead, your proof of qualification is your RSA Certificate issued after completing your RSA course. The certificate number printed on the document is generally the number employers need.
Queensland
In Queensland, your RSA qualification is provided as a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment that includes a specific certificate ID. If you’ve misplaced your certificate, your training provider can issue a replacement, or you can use your USI transcript to identify who delivered your course.
Western Australia
Western Australia follows a similar process. After completing an approved RSA course, you’ll receive a Statement of Attainment containing your certificate number. This document is your evidence that you’ve completed the required training.
South Australia
Hospitality workers in South Australia generally use their Statement of Attainment as proof they have completed RSA training. The certificate number on this document is what employers are typically asking for.
Tasmania
Tasmania also relies on the nationally recognised Statement of Attainment rather than a separate competency card. This statement should include a certificate ID number. If you’ve lost your certificate, contact your training provider to arrange a replacement.
Northern Territory
As with other states, workers in the Northern Territory (NT) receive a Statement of Attainment after successfully completing their RSA course. Your certificate number is printed on this document and can be reissued by your training provider if necessary.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) follows the same approach as most other states and territories. Your Statement of Attainment acts as proof of your RSA qualification, and the certificate number is the identifier employers usually require.
What if I’ve Lost my RSA Certificate?
Losing your RSA certificate doesn’t mean you’ve lost your qualification. The first step is to search your email or check your USI transcript. If you still can’t find your records, contact the registered training organisation that delivered your course.
You’ll usually be asked to provide your full name, date of birth and an approximate completion date so your records can be located. Once your identity has been confirmed, the provider can issue another copy of your certificate.
If you can’t remember who you completed your RSA course with, your USI transcript can often help identify the training provider.
Is my RSA Number the Same as my USI?
No. Your RSA number and your Unique Student Identifier (USI) are two different things. Your USI is a lifelong student identification number that keeps a record of nationally recognised training you’ve completed throughout Australia.
Your RSA number, on the other hand, identifies your RSA qualification or competency card. While both may be used to verify your training, they serve different purposes.
Can Employers Check my RSA Qualification?
Yes. Hospitality employers are responsible for ensuring staff who sell or serve alcohol hold a valid RSA qualification. In most cases they’ll simply ask to see your RSA certificate or Statement of Attainment and keep a copy on file. In New South Wales they should also ask for your RSA Competency Card, as this is the official evidence of competency in that state.
Providing your RSA details before you start work can help avoid delays with your employment.
Will my RSA Number Expire?
Your RSA number itself does not expire. However, your RSA qualification or competency may need to be renewed at set intervals depending on where you work.
In many Australian states and territories, a nationally recognised RSA qualification does not have an expiry date. However, in some states refresher training is required.
For example, New South Wales hospitality staff should refresh their training every five years, while in the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory additional training should be completed every three years to retain competency and certification.
If you’ve found your RSA number but completed your training several years ago, it’s worth checking the current requirements in the state where you plan to work to make sure your qualification is still recognised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my RSA qualification recognised in other states?
In most cases, a nationally accredited RSA qualification is recognised across Australia. However, New South Wales is the exception, if you completed your RSA elsewhere and plan to work in NSW, you’ll need to obtain the NSW-specific RSA and apply for a Competency Card through Service NSW.
Always check the requirements of the state you’re moving to before assuming your existing certificate will be accepted by employers.
Can I start work before my RSA certificate arrives?
This depends on the state. In some states, such as Victoria and Queensland, you can start working in a hospitality role while you wait for your certificate, provided you complete your training before starting.
In New South Wales, you must hold a valid RSA Competency Card before working in a licensed venue. Check the specific rules for your state to avoid putting yourself or your employer at risk.
Do I need RSA if I only work in the kitchen?
RSA is required for anyone directly involved in serving, selling or supplying alcohol. Kitchen staff who have no involvement in alcohol service typically don’t need it.
However, if your role crosses over into food and beverage service, for example, passing drinks to tables or working in a venue where alcohol handling is part of your duties, most employers will still ask you to hold a current RSA.
What are the consequences of serving alcohol without a valid RSA?
Both the employee and the employer can face penalties. Fines vary by state but can be significant, and venues that repeatedly allow unqualified staff to serve alcohol risk losing their liquor licence entirely. For workers, serving alcohol without the required qualification may result in dismissal and makes it harder to find future hospitality work. Getting your RSA before your first shift is always the safer option.
Is a digital RSA certificate as valid as a physical one?
Yes. Most training providers issue certificates digitally, and a PDF sent to your email carries the same legal weight as a printed version. Employers can use the certificate number to verify your qualification. In New South Wales, the Service NSW app also allows you to show your digital RSA Competency Card as official proof of your qualification, which is accepted at licensed venues the same way a physical card would be.
Enrol in a Hospitality Course Near You
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