How to Get an RSA Replacement Card? Step-by-step Guide

Some states issue a physical RSA card or competency card, while others have digital cards available. Elsewhere, you can use an RSA certificate or Statement of Attainment as proof of your qualification. 

But the good news is, if your RSA card has been lost, stolen or damaged, you may not need to complete your RSA course again. In many cases, you can obtain replacement documentation or access digital proof of your RSA qualification.

In this guide, we explain how to replace an RSA card or certificate in each Australian state and territory, what to do if you have lost your RSA records, and whether you need to complete RSA training again.

What is an RSA card?

An RSA card is proof that you’ve completed the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training you need for jobs that involve serving alcohol.

What you receive after completing your RSA course depends on where you did your training. In NSW, for example, you get an RSA competency card, which is available as a physical or digital card. In Queensland, you’ll receive a Statement of Attainment, while Victoria issues an RSA Certificate of Completion.

How to get an RSA replacement card

Losing your RSA certificate doesn’t necessarily mean you have to take the training again.

Depending on where you completed your course, you may be able to order a replacement, access a digital version or contact your original training provider for another copy. Here’s what to do in each state and territory…

New South Wales

If you completed your RSA training in NSW and your RSA competency card has been lost, stolen or damaged, you can request a replacement online. You will need:

• Your RSA competency card number, if you know it
• Your personal details
• The reason you need a replacement card
• Payment for the replacement

You can apply through Service NSW by selecting Manage your RSA/RCG card and following the prompts.

You should make sure your email address or mobile phone number is recorded with Liquor & Gaming NSW before starting the process. Do you need a physical RSA card in NSW?

Not necessarily. If you have lost your NSW RSA competency card, you may be able to use a free digital version instead of paying for a replacement physical card.

The digital RSA competency card is available through the Service NSW app, making it possible to access your RSA details from your phone.

If you simply need to prove that you hold a current RSA competency card, checking whether you can access the digital version may be easier than ordering a replacement physical card.

Queensland

Queensland does not issue a separate RSA card. Instead, your RSA qualification is evidenced by a Statement of Attainment for the nationally recognised unit Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol.

If you’ve lost your Statement of Attainment, your first step should be to contact the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that issued it and ask for another copy.

Can’t remember who you trained with? If you completed your RSA training from 2015 onwards, it’s also worth checking your USI VET transcript. This provides a record of your nationally recognised training and may help you find the RTO that delivered your RSA course.

The Queensland Government doesn’t hold RSA training records and can’t issue a replacement Statement of Attainment. If you can’t find a record of your training or identify the RTO that issued it, you may need to complete RSA training again.

Victoria

Victoria does not issue a traditional RSA card. Instead, people who complete an approved Victorian RSA course receive an RSA Certificate of Completion.

If you have lost your RSA certificate, you can obtain a new certificate for free by completing the Victorian RSA Refresher course. Once you complete the refresher, you’ll receive a new certificate to download.

It’s also important to remember, you need to complete RSA refresher training every three years to keep your RSA current in Victoria.

South Australia

If you completed RSA training in South Australia and have lost your certificate or evidence of completion, check your original training records and contact the RTO that delivered your course.

Your training provider may be able to provide replacement evidence of your qualification.

If you are unsure what documentation you need to work in South Australia, check the current requirements with the Consumer and Business Services before completing another RSA course.

Western Australia

In Western Australia, RSA training is based on the nationally recognised RSA unit and your evidence of completion is generally provided through your training documentation.

If you have lost your RSA certificate or Statement of Attainment, contact the RTO that issued your original qualification.

You may need to provide identifying details so the training provider can locate your student record and issue replacement documentation.

Tasmania

If you completed your RSA training in Tasmania and have lost your certificate or Statement of Attainment, contact the RTO that delivered your training.

Keep a copy of your RSA documentation somewhere secure, as you may need to provide evidence of your training to an employer or licensing authority.

Australian Capital Territory

If you completed RSA training in the ACT and have lost your RSA documentation, contact your original training provider to find out whether your certificate or training record can be reissued.

RSA requirements can differ between jurisdictions, so make sure the evidence you have is accepted for the type of work you intend to do.

Northern Territory

If you completed RSA training in the Northern Territory and have lost your RSA documentation, contact your original training provider.

Your RTO may be able to locate your training record and provide replacement evidence of completion.

What if I’ve lost my RSA certificate?

If you have lost both your RSA card and your certificate or Statement of Attainment, don’t panic. Your first step should be to contact the RTO that delivered your original RSA course. Tell the training provider:

• Your full name at the time you completed the course
• Approximately when you completed your RSA training
• The state where you completed the course
• Any certificate, student or RSA number you can find
• Any other information the RTO may need to locate your record

If the RTO can verify your training, it may be able to issue replacement documentation.

What if I can’t remember my RSA training provider?

Start by checking your old emails for your RSA course confirmation, certificate or Statement of Attainment. You can also check your USI training records if your RSA was completed as nationally recognised training.

If you can identify the RTO, contact it directly and ask whether it can provide replacement evidence of your RSA qualification.

If your training records cannot be verified, you may need to complete RSA training again.

Do I need to redo my RSA course if I lose my card?

Usually, losing your RSA card or certificate does not automatically mean you have to redo the course. The important issue is whether your original RSA training can be verified and whether your qualification is still current under the requirements of the state or territory where you want to work.

For example, in NSW you can request a replacement competency card if your existing card has been lost, stolen or damaged.

In Queensland, the government advises people who lose their Statement of Attainment to contact the original RTO for a replacement, and in Victoria, a lost RSA certificate can be replaced by completing the RSA Refresher course. 

If your training records can’t be verified, you may need to complete RSA training again. Before enrolling, check the current requirements for the state or territory where you plan to work.

Can I work if I’ve lost my RSA card?

This depends on your state and the evidence you can provide that you hold the required RSA qualification. If you have lost your physical RSA card, check whether your state provides a digital credential or other way to prove your certification.

In NSW, for example, you can access your RSA competency card digitally through the Service NSW app.

If you cannot provide the evidence your employer or licensing authority requires, you may not be able to perform duties involving the sale, service or supply of alcohol until your certification can be verified.

If you have lost your RSA documentation, it is best to start the replacement process as soon as possible.

How much does an RSA replacement card cost?

The cost depends on where you completed your RSA training and what type of replacement documentation you need.

For example, NSW charges a fee for replacing a physical RSA competency card, while a digital version of the competency card is available through the Service NSW app at no cost.

In other states, you may simply need to contact your original training provider to obtain replacement documentation. Any replacement or administration fee will depend on the provider.

How long does an RSA replacement card take?

The processing time depends on the state, the type of documentation you need and who issued your original RSA qualification.

For a NSW replacement RSA competency card, Service NSW advises that the new physical card can take up to five weeks to arrive, but if you only need proof of your RSA qualification, a digital card or replacement certificate may be available sooner.

Contact your original training provider or the relevant state authority if you need your RSA documentation urgently.

What if my RSA has expired?

Losing your RSA card is different from having an expired RSA qualification. If your RSA is still current but you have lost the physical card or certificate, you generally need to replace or retrieve your existing evidence of training.

If your RSA qualification has expired or you are no longer considered current under your state’s requirements, you may need to complete refresher training rather than simply request a replacement.

RSA refresher requirements vary between states and territories, so check the rules that apply where you intend to work.

What if I’m moving to another state?

An RSA qualification is not necessarily enough on its own to allow you to work with alcohol in every Australian state. Although the national RSA unit is recognised across Australia, each state and territory can have additional liquor licensing requirements.

For example, NSW has a specific RSA bridging process for people who hold certain interstate RSA qualifications and move permanently to NSW. Victoria also has specific requirements for recognising interstate RSA training.

If you’re moving interstate, don’t assume that replacing your existing RSA card or certificate will make you eligible to work. Check the RSA requirements in your new state first.