How do you get your RSA in NSW?

RSA training Sydney classes or the RSA online course

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.

In class you learn face to face, with direct interaction with your trainer and other students. Online, you complete the training from home on your own schedule. Both lead to the same result, so choose the mode that best suits you.

Either way, your RSA training course covers the liquor laws and your responsibilities, serving alcohol responsibly, recognising and refusing service to intoxicated or under-age patrons, and harm-minimisation strategies.

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.

How do you choose an accredited RSA course in Sydney?

Pick a course from a Liquor & Gaming NSW Approved Training Provider. That is what leads to your interim certificate and your NSW competency card.

Edway is an Approved Training Provider for RSA in New South Wales. Our Sydney classes and our online course both get you there, so choose the one that suits your week.

What you need before you book an RSA course

Getting ready is simple. 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.

How much does an RSA course in Sydney cost?

Choose New South Wales on the RSA course page to see the current price for the classroom and the online course. The cost of your NSW competency card is included in your course fee, so you know the full cost up front.

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.

That means you can start your new job while your card is on its way. Keep a copy of your interim certificate, as it is your proof of completion.

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.

We recommend you apply for your card soon after your course, so it is in your hands well before you need it.

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.

Is your RSA still valid for summer events and festivals?

Check the expiry date on your competency card before festival and event season starts. Once it expires you cannot work an event bar until you renew.

New to RSA? Do your course early and apply at Service NSW soon after, so your card is in your hands well before the busy summer shifts begin.

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 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

Walk into the hospitality job you really want with confidence in your ability to serve alcohol responsibly.

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?.