How do you get your RSA in NSW?
Training, then an interim certificate, then a competency card from Service NSW. What happens at each step and how long each one takes.
Written byEdway
The short answer
Three steps. You complete the training, SITHFAB021 Provide responsible service of alcohol. You receive a Statement of Attainment and an interim certificate that lets you start work straight away. You then apply in person at Service NSW for your RSA competency card.
The card is valid for 5 years.
Choose how you study
New South Wales gives you two options. An in-person class runs about 6.5 hours, at Mona Vale, Darlinghurst or Seven Hills. The self-paced online course takes about 6 hours and you fit it around your week.
Both lead to the same result. Pick whichever suits you.
If you study online, you have 2 months to finish, counted from the date of your confirmation email. Miss that window and your enrolment is recorded as not completed, the fee is not refunded, and you enrol again.
The online modules also open in order — you cannot skip ahead. New South Wales liquor law requires approved providers to prevent it.
What you need before you book
Valid photo identification and a Unique Student Identifier (USI). After you book, you complete a short language, literacy, numeracy and digital check in your student account.
There is no minimum age to do the training. You must be 18 or over to sell, serve or supply alcohol.
Your interim certificate
After the course you receive a Statement of Attainment for SITHFAB021, and your
interim certificate arrives by email from noreply@onegov.nsw.gov.au.
It often lands in spam or junk. Search your inbox, including spam, for "@one" and you will find it.
The interim is two pages. Page 1 covers you to work for 90 days. Page 2, the barcode page, is the application you take to Service NSW.
Applying at Service NSW
Take page 2 and 100 points of identification to a Service NSW centre and have your photo taken. You must apply in person — there is no online path for a first card, and nobody can apply on your behalf.
You have 5 years to make that application, not 90 days. The 90 days is only how long the interim certificate covers you at work.
Your digital card is in the Service NSW app as soon as you apply — you need a MyServiceNSW account to see it. The physical card is posted within 5 weeks.
Renewing after 5 years
Liquor & Gaming NSW emails or texts you when the card is due. Once it expires you cannot work in the industry until you renew.
Renewal is not one of our courses. You complete the Liquor & Gaming NSW online refresher, which takes about 45 minutes and comes from L&GNSW itself, then pay the card fee.
If you trained in another state
An interstate RSA is not automatically valid in New South Wales. You complete a short online bridging course first, then apply for the NSW card.
Bridging only works if your original training is recent enough. If it is not, you do the full New South Wales course instead.
If you are working here temporarily and not living in New South Wales permanently, you can generally work on a current interstate RSA without bridging. Security and RSA-marshal roles are the exception — they always need the bridging course and the NSW card.
Next step
Choose New South Wales on the RSA course page to see class dates, the online option and current prices.
Deciding between the classroom and studying at home? Read Can I do my RSA online?.
Sources
- Liquor & Gaming NSW — training requirements for liquor and gamingWho must hold an RSA in New South Wales
- Liquor & Gaming NSW — competency cardsThe interim certificate, the 5-year card and the renewal refresher
- Service NSW — apply for an RSA or RCG competency cardThe in-person application, 100 points of ID, the digital card and the 5-week postal delivery
- Liquor & Gaming NSW — Approved Training Provider Conditions of ApprovalThe rule that stops a student skipping ahead through an online New South Wales RSA course
- training.gov.au — SITHFAB021Unit code and official title
