How long do I have to finish the online course?

Your online RSA stays open for 2 months from the date of your confirmation email. You study at your own pace within that window — start, stop and come back whenever suits you. Most people finish in a single sitting of around 6 hours, so there's plenty of time.

What happens if I don't finish the online course within 2 months?

If you don't complete the course within the 2-month window, your enrolment is recorded as not completed and your fee isn't refunded. You'd need to enrol again.

I've finished my course in New South Wales — where's my competency card?

First, find your interim certificate. It's emailed to you from noreply@onegov.nsw.gov.au and often lands in spam or junk. Search your inbox, including spam and junk, for "@one" and you'll find it. Take page 2 of it (the barcode page) and 100 points of ID to a Service NSW centre and have your photo taken. Once you've applied, you can add your digital competency card to the Service NSW app straight away — it's recognised under the law. Your physical card arrives in the post within 5 weeks.

Home / Courses / RSA

RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol)

Provide responsible service of alcoholSITHFAB021 · Statement of Attainment

For bar, restaurant and bottle-shop staff — the training you need before you can serve or sell alcohol.

Issued by Edway Training (RTO 91401)

Nationally recognised trainingAbout 6–7 hrsOffered in NSW & VIC

Choose your state to see the details that apply to you — or scroll down to compare all states.

Select state Learn more

A bartender serving a customer across the bar of a licensed venue

The training you need before you can serve alcohol

Provide responsible service of alcoholSITHFAB021 · Statement of Attainment

Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) is the nationally recognised training — unit SITHFAB021 — required before you can sell, serve or supply alcohol in licensed venues such as pubs, clubs, restaurants, bottle shops, stadiums and festivals.

RSA is state-regulated, so what you receive and how long it lasts depends on where you work. An RSA from one state is not automatically valid in another — if you already hold one, check the state details below before you book.

What you'll learn
Understand the liquor laws and your responsibilities
Serve alcohol responsibly
Recognise and refuse service to intoxicated or under-age patrons
Use harm-minimisation strategies
Understand the effects of alcohol
Understand the rules for packaged liquor and licensed events

Duration6–7 hrsIn person; online at your own pace

DeliveryIn person or onlineIn-person classes in NSW; online in NSW & VIC

AssessmentCompleted within the course

CredentialRSAProvide responsible service of alcoholSITHFAB021 · Statement of Attainment

Before you book

A quick language check is part of enrolment. You'll need enough English to read, write and understand the course. After booking, you'll complete a short language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) check in your student account. You need to pass it to do the course. Not sure? Try a practice check first. If you don't pass, you get a full refund minus the $30 administration fee.Try a practice check

What you'll need

A USI. A Unique Student Identifier.

Photo ID. A valid photo ID — shown when you arrive for an in-person class, or uploaded in your student account if you study online.

Your card, state by state

New South Wales

Statement of Attainment — SITHFAB021 from Edway, with a 90-day interim certificate

NSW RSA competency card (physical + digital, with your photo) — issued by Liquor & Gaming NSW via Service NSW

Victoria

Statement of Attainment — SITHFAB021 from Edway

Victorian RSA Certificate of Completion — issued by Liquor Control Victoria

See the full details for your state.

Why do this course?

Getting your RSA opens up work in bars, bottle shops, restaurants and festivals — the law requires this training for anyone who sells, serves or supplies alcohol.

Required for

Bar attendant
Bottle shop attendant
Waiter in a licensed restaurant
Winery or brewery staff
Festival and event bar staff

Choose how you train

In person

A class with a qualified trainer at one of our venues. 6–7 hours.

NSW

Online, self-paced

Start straight away and work through the course online at your own pace — you have up to two months to finish.

NSW · VIC

Where you'll train

New South Wales

In personMona Vale · Darlinghurst · Seven Hills

Online, self-pacedStart anytime

See NSW details

Victoria

Online, self-pacedStart anytime

See VIC details

What happens after you book

1Check your emailYour confirmation email shows your venue and time, or your login details depending on how you train. It comes from no-reply@edway.edu.au. It usually arrives within a few minutes of booking.
2Set up your student accountLog in with the details in your confirmation email and set up your account.
3Have your USI readyA Unique Student Identifier is required for this course. Get or find yours at usi.gov.au.
4Upload your photo IDUpload a valid photo ID in your student account. It's required for all nationally recognised training and confirms your identity for your certificate.
5Complete a short LLND checkIn your student account you complete a short language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) check. You'll need enough English to take part and to pass it.
6We confirm your enrolmentOnce you've finished the LLND check, we confirm your enrolment by email. If there's a problem with your eligibility, we'll contact you directly before you start.

Wondering about your card? See What you'll receive.

Questions, answered

Get answers specific to your state.

Will my RSA be recognised in other states?

Yes — your RSA training is nationally recognised. Queensland accepts your Statement of Attainment as it is, and Western Australia accepts the national unit itself. The Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory accept it too, but it lapses three years after you finish, so you complete a short refresher there. Tasmania accepts it for bar staff, and licensees need a Tasmanian-approved course. South Australia is the exception — it only accepts RSA training from providers its own Commissioner has approved, and Edway is not on that list. New South Wales and Victoria each run their own RSA, so moving between them means a short bridging course. Full state-by-state details are on our Student Support page.State-by-state details — Student Support

How long does my RSA last?

It depends on your state. In New South Wales the RSA competency card is valid for 5 years, then you renew with a short online Liquor & Gaming NSW refresher. In Victoria the RSA certificate is valid for 3 years, and you complete a free refresher every 3 years to stay current.

Can I do the RSA online, or do I need to attend in person?

In New South Wales you can choose an in-person class or study online at your own pace — the outcome is the same. In Victoria the RSA is online-only, so there is no in-person class. Online study is self-paced and takes around 6 hours. You have 2 months to finish, counted from your confirmation-email date.

Is there a minimum age to do the RSA?

There is no minimum age to complete RSA training. You must be 18 or over to sell, serve or supply alcohol. In New South Wales, someone under 18 can't serve even with an RSA, unless the regulator approves it.

Do I need an RSA to work in a bottle shop, club or at a festival?

Yes. You need an RSA before you can sell, serve or supply alcohol in any licensed venue — pubs, clubs, restaurants, bottle shops, stadiums and festivals.

What do I need to enrol?

You'll need a valid photo ID and your Unique Student Identifier (USI). You'll also complete a short language, literacy, numeracy and digital check in your student account after booking.

Ready to get your RSA?

Pick your state, choose a session that suits you, and book online in minutes.

Choose a session Read the FAQ