From $150
RSA Certificate
Join a RSA certificate course with HCA. RSA courses in Australia with same-day certification. Nationally recognised training delivered by certified trainers.
The licence card fee is included in our price. No hidden costs. Courses start at $150.
You won’t find better value in Australia for your RSA. If so, we’ll beat it by 10%.
Certification issued immediately after class so you can start work right away.
What Our Customers Say
Quick Snapshot for the RSA Course
| Course Title | Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Course |
| National Code(s) | SITHFAB021 Provide responsible service of alcohol |
| What to Bring and Wear | Just bring yourself, a positive attitude, and a form of photo ID. Wear whatever you’re comfortable in. |
| Course Length | 1 day. Completely face to face, with no online components. |
| Course Fee | From $150 |
All Our RSA Courses in Australia
We’re running the RSA course in multiple states and cities across Australia. Click your state below to see all of our training venues.
3 Simple Steps to Book in Australia
From this page, follow these three simple steps to book your RSA certificate.
Check the course calendar above and choose a date that suits you in one of our locations in Australia.
Click “Enrol” or “Limited Spaces” and enter your details and pay for the training.
Once your payment is received, you’ll get a confirmation email with all your course details.
RSA Course Information
Our SITHFAB021 – Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol course runs regularly at our six locations across Australia. The course covers everything you need to know to serve alcohol safely and legally, and is recognised across bars, restaurants, bottle shops, clubs, hotels, and any other licensed venue in the state you take the course in.
Who Can Do the RSA Course in Australia
Almost everyone can, as long as you meet the minimum vocational age requirement and bring valid photo ID on the day, you’re good to go. It doesn’t matter if you’re an Australian citizen, visa holder, or new to Australia. If you’re unsure about anything, contact our customer service team.
You must be 17+ to enrol in an RSA course. You must at least 18 years old to serve alcohol.
Bring one form of photo ID such as a driver's licence, passport, or similar government photo ID.
After the course, you'll get a certificate. You then must visit a service centre to get your RSA card.
FAQ About the RSA Training
Who needs an RSA certificate?
You legally need an RSA certificate if you work in any role that involves selling, serving, or supplying alcohol in Australia. If alcohol is part of your job in any way, you need it. That covers a wide range of jobs across the hospitality and events industry.
Bartenders, wait staff, bottle shop attendants, and bar managers all need one. So do security staff working at licensed venues, alcohol delivery drivers, event staff serving drinks, hotel and motel staff, club workers, and anyone in a management or licensee role at a licensed venue.
What ID do I need to bring with me?
For NSW, you just need to bring one form of valid photo ID on the training day, like a driver’s licence or passport.
Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll need to visit a Service NSW centre to get your physical RSA card, and they will need 100 points of ID from you. Here’s how points are counted:
- Passport: 70 points
- Birth certificate: 70 points
- Driver’s licence: 40 points
- Proof of age card: 40 points
- Medicare card: 25 points
- Bank or credit card: 25 points
- Student ID card: 25 points
For all other states (VIC, QLD, WA, SA, NT, ACT, and TAS), it’s much simpler. You just need a valid photo ID, like a driver’s licence or passport.
You’ll also need a USI (Unique Student Identifier) to receive your certificate regardless of where you are. You can get one for free at usi.gov.au in a couple of minutes if you don’t have one already.
What do I need to bring with me on training day?
The correct ID one of the most important requirements on the day. Please review our ID Requirements before attending to ensure you have the right documents.
Other than that, just bring yourself and a positive attitude. There’s no need for any special clothing or equipment, just wear something comfortable. All course materials are provided at the venue.
Once you finish, you’ll walk away with your official RSA interim certificate, which lets you start working in any licensed venue straight away.
How long does the RSA course take?
The RSA course runs for 7 hours and is completed in a single day. The day covers everything you need to know about responsible alcohol service, including legal requirements, harm minimisation, and how to handle difficult situations. It’s a full day of training, so make sure you’re free for the entire session.
How long does my RSA certificate last?
The expiry of the RSA depends on where you got certified. In NSW, your RSA competency card expires after 5 years and you’ll need to go through the renewal process with Liquor & Gaming NSW to keep working legally.
In Victoria and the ACT, your certificate is valid for 3 years. After that, you’ll need to do a refresher course to renew it.
In Queensland, WA, South Australia, and Tasmania, your RSA certificate doesn’t expire once you have it.
In the Northern Territory, you’ll need to renew every 3 years.
Can I use my RSA to work in other states?
Yes, in most cases. The course is based on the national unit of competency SITHFAB021, which is recognised across Australia.
However, some states have their own additional requirements or bridging courses before you can work there. If you’re planning to work interstate, it’s worth checking with the relevant liquor authority in that state to confirm exactly what’s needed before you start.
What if I fail the assessment?
If you don’t pass the assessment on your first attempt, you’ll have the opportunity to redo it. Our trainers are there to support you throughout the day, so if you’re struggling with any part of the material, please tell us and ask for help.
We want you to walk out with your certificate, and we’ll do what we can to make sure you’re set up to pass.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy Requirements
All students must have a basic level of English language, literacy and numeracy to successfully complete the RSA course in Australia (SITHFAB021 – Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol). This ensures you can understand the course content and fully participate in training.
You must be able to:
- Read and understand written course materials, instructions, and short texts
- Write basic information, such as completing forms and short written answers
- Communicate clearly in English with the trainer and other participants
- Follow verbal instructions during activities and assessments
- Understand simple numeracy, such as reading times and quantities related to alcohol service
If English is your second language, you must have a level of English that allows you to fully participate in the course. If you are unsure, please contact us and we can help assess whether this course is suitable for you.
If you require LLN assistance, please let us know before booking. We may be able to offer support, make reasonable adjustments, or recommend alternative options.
Government-Approved RTO
Hospitality Courses Australia is an accredited Registered Training Organisation (RTO 41072). We are fully approved to deliver nationally recognised RSA courses in New South Wales and in Australia.
Our RSA Course in Australia
Book your official RSA course with HCA. We run daily sessions to suit everyone. As one of Australia’s most trusted training providers, we’re known for our quality training and excellent service. Book your RSA course now and get certified to work in hospitality across Australia.
