RSA Certification: What It Covers and Why It’s Mandatory
- Edway
- May 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 28
You’re eyeing a role behind the bar or in event security, and someone just asked if you have your RSA. Your what? That moment of panic is real. The Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certification isn’t just another hoop to jump through, it’s a legal requirement for working anywhere that sells or serves alcohol in New South Wales. And if you’re like many Australians juggling work, side hustles, and everything else life throws your way, you want the fastest, easiest, and most cost-effective path to get it done. We get it.
We’re here to show you the options so you can choose the easiest path to success.
What The RSA Certification Covers
The RSA certification isn’t just a checkbox for employment - it’s about safety, compliance, and professionalism. Mandated under the and overseen by Liquor & Gaming NSW, the course trains you to:
Understand and apply alcohol-related laws
Recognise and handle intoxicated patrons
Refuse service legally and respectfully
Prevent underage drinking
Promote responsible alcohol consumption
RSA certification helps reduce alcohol-related harm and promotes safer communities. It’s essential for bartenders, security staff, waitstaff, managers, and even volunteers at events.
Once completed, you’ll receive an interim certificate and can apply for your RSA competency card from Service NSW - valid for five years.
Classroom RSA Course
Need your certificate urgently? The fastest route is through Edway Training’s classroom RSA course in Sydney. Complete your training in one day and walk away with your interim certificate. You’ll be guided by experienced trainers, engage in real-life scenarios and get your questions answered on the spot. To speed things up, here are the booking details: 📌
RSA Sydney Classroom Course
💰 Price: $175.00 📍 Duration: 1 day 📢
There are also classes available in Darlinghurst, Seven Hills, and Mona Vale.
RSA Online Course
Prefer learning on your own time? The RSA Online course is fully approved by Liquor & Gaming NSW and ideal for those who want to complete it at their own pace. You’ll have up to 2 months to finish the course, which includes video assessments, quizzes and a final test. Want to start now? Here is where you apply: 📌
RSA Sydney Online Course
💰 Price: $157.00 📍 Duration: Self-paced (6–10 hours) 📢
The Travel Australia Plastic Card
Planning to work interstate? The Travel Australia card is your hospitality passport. It allows you to work in SA, WA, NT, ACT, QLD, and TAS. Heading to Victoria? You’ll just need to complete a short refresher, and Edway will help you organise it. Ready to launch your national career? Contact us here to start the process: 💳
Travel Australia Card
Basic (SA, WA, NT, ACT, QLD, TAS): $25.00
With VIC Add-On: $45.00
Bundle Smart To Save More
Looking to boost your skills in one go? We want to lower the barriers to entry to careers for all Australians and so we offer very attractive RSA bundles with RCG and Barista training - perfect if you’re heading into hospitality full throttle! The RCG (Responsible Conduct of Gambling) courses (in classroom or online) teach you how to recognise gambling problems, support patrons responsibly, and comply with legal requirements for gaming venues. It’s mandatory for anyone working where gambling services are offered, such as pubs, clubs or casinos. ✅ RSA + RCG: Save $25 ✅ RSA + RCG + Barista: Save $50 Mentioning these bundles helps you plan smarter and save money, especially if you're starting fresh in hospitality. Get RSA Certification today – online or in a classroom, your choice
If your team’s running multiple venues and each one’s bound by RSA compliance, you know it’s not just red tape — it’s a licensing risk sitting quietly in your backend. We saw it in our own data: 19% of required checks were missing entirely, mostly during late shifts. That’s not a slip-up, that’s a fine of $3,300 AUD per violation. After integrating recommendations from power bi consultant brisbane we started getting daily reports flagging non-compliance by hour and by staff member. No more guesswork, no more scrambling. What’s your RSA compliance process right now — still juggling manual spreadsheets, or have you got something that actually prevents risk before it hits?