RSA NSW ONLINE

SITHFAB021 - Provide responsible service of alcohol

RSA Certification in NSW-Course Summary


Requirement: In NSW you require an RSA certificate issued by a training provider approved by Liquor and Gaming NSW if you are engaged in the sale, supply or service of alcohol at a licensed premises.

Course code: SITHFAB021 - Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol

Validity: Valid in NSW, SA, QLD, WA, NT, ACT, TAS

Certificates: We issue both a National Statement of Attainment valid in most Australian States as well as the Certificate required by Liquor and Gaming NSW

Delivery: 100% Online – Flexibility to start, stop, and resume when you like

Duration: Our NSW RSA course takes around 6 hours, depending on your pace.

Cost: $149

Why Trust Us: ✓ Quick Assessments, ✓ High Quality Support (by humans!) ✓ Accredited RTO (52312), ✓ No Hidden Costs, ✓ Join 200,000+ Successful Students

Start Your Responsible Service of Alcohol Course Today!

Unlock opportunities in the hospitality industry and get your official Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate in New South Wales with Access All Areas Training. Our RSA courses are fully online, nationally recognised, and easy for you to get started right away!

If you need your RSA in Sydney, NSW, why not complete it online with us? Enjoy the convenience of your own online training account, packed with all the resources you need to ace your course.

To sell, serve or supply alcohol in NSW, you must complete an RSA training course delivered by a L&GNSW Approved Training Provider (ATP). If you are new to the liquor industry or your RSA competency training took place more than five years ago, you need to complete a full training course.

Our flexible online training platform lets you start, stop, and resume whenever you like. Plus, our supportive AAAT staff are ready to assist if you need any help.

SITHFAB021 - Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol

Upon successful completion of your RSA certification in NSW, you will receive a Statement of Attainment for SITHFAB021 - Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol along with an NSW Interim Certificate, which allows you to apply for a Competency Card with NSW Liquor & Gaming. A copy of your Statement of Attainment must be presented to your employer as soon as practicable.

Is your Interim certificate or NSW Comp Card still current? - Find out here

Important Information for Interstate Workers - Find out more

Important Information About Competency Card Renewals – Find out more

Do I Need An RSA in NSW?

Employers in the licensed hospitality industry require anyone serving or selling alcohol to have a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certification. This certification is mandatory and must be obtained through a NSW state-approved RTO under Liquor & Gaming NSW regulations.

If you’re involved in selling, supplying or serving liquor, you have 28 days from starting your job or volunteer role to complete the course.

This nationally accredited NSW RSA online course is suitable for anyone involved in the sale, supply or service of liquor at a licensed premises, including:

  • Food and beverage attendants
  • Packaged liquor salespersons selling in person, over the phone or online
  • Winery, brewery and distillery cellar door staff
  • Alcohol supplier sales representatives
  • Security staff who monitor customer behaviour
  • Venue licensee responsible for responsible service of alcohol (RSA) management

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Step 1: Read through the information provided so you are fully informed of how the course is structured.

Step 2: Register and pay for your course.

Step 3: Make sure you have provided your ID requirements (see below). We cannot assess your course, until we have received all the required documentation

Step 4: Study the RSA Online course material and complete the assessments. * For more info please see the “Course and Assessment details” tab

Step 5: Once you have successfully completed your assessment, you will receive via email your RSA NSW Interim certificate within 2 business day. This certificate permits you to work in licensed premises straight away.

NOTE: Interim Certificates are valid for 90 days to allow you time to obtain a Liquor & Gaming NSW RSA Photo Competency card that is valid for 5 years. The cost of the NSW RSA Photo Competency card is included in your course fee.

Before you start, please consider the following:

  • Have you read the Student Handbook? - This outlines your rights and our responsibilities. It also outlines what Vocational Education and Training is.
  • Did you look at the relevant policies? Things like privacy, complaints, and refunds.
  • Have you considered the NCVER (National Centre for Vocational Education Research) Privacy Statement? NCVER collects data on training outcomes. All RTO’s (Registered Training Organisations) must collect data and pass it on to NCVER.
  • Please make sure you understand all learning and assessment requirements as described on the Course and Assessment tab.
  • Do you consider yourself to have a learning difficulty or disability which may limit your ability to do this course? If so, please contact us on info@aaat.edu.au . This is so we can help you if required

The time taken to finish the course will vary from person to person - typically the course will take approximately 6 - 10 hours to complete, including assessment

Once you have submitted all your assessment pieces, along with any required supporting documentation, you will be assessed.

Identification

    1. ID - We are required to verify your identity. You will be asked to provide a legible copy of a photo identification - for example a driver’s licence, proof-of-age card or passport. Detailed instructions on what is required and how to submit will be sent to you in your confirmation email and is included at the commencement of your online training. Providing proof of ID is a pre-requisite to receive your certificate.
    2. USI - Unique Student Identifier (USI): All registered training providers must collect a USI before a Certificate or Statement of Attainment can be issued process.

  • A valid Email account.
  • A computer or laptop
  • An authorised form of identification.
  • Either a Digital camera / scanner / fax / iPhone or ability to upload documents from your files to your student account.
  • A digital device to record video as part of your observation
  • A reliable internet connection
  • Our system has been optimised for Chrome

Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) requirements for this course.

You must be able to:

Reading Skills:

  • read at times complex information in:
  • general, regulatory and advisory information issued by local, or state and territory liquor licensing authorities
  • in house policies and procedures
  • specific provisions of relevant state or territory licensing requirements
  • read a range of identification (ID) and proof of age documents, signage, and warning signs and wording within in-house policies and procedures.

Oral Communication:

  • provide information on responsible service of alcohol laws in a way that is easily understandable for customers
  • speak firmly and clearly with intoxicated customers in a manner that de-escalates conflict.

Numeracy Skills:

  • calculate volume and number of standard drinks or samples
  • determine customer’s age from date of birth on ID and proof of age documents.

Teamwork Sills:

  • share customer information with team members to ensure proper responsible service of alcohol practices within the organisation.

Self-Management:

  • deal with hostile or uncooperative customers in a professional manner and in line with organisational procedures.

If you already hold a NSW RSA interim certificate or competency ID card that is due to expire then you are only required to complete the RSA NSW Online refresher course.

If you have never completed a RSA NSW course previously then you will be required to complete the full RSA NSW course.

If you have an ELIGIBLE INTERSTATE RSA, then you need only complete the RSA NSW Online Bridging course.


Please note, refunds will not be provided if you already have an existing NSW RSA Interim certificate or Competency ID card and you have chosen to complete the course again.

You need to understand by completing this RSA course, your RSA competency card endorsement will not be renewed or extended.

Please check if your Comp Card is current - Link to NSWL&G

Service NSW manages the Proof of Identity check service for RSA and RCG competency card applications.

This arrangement simplifies the way customers do business with the NSW Government. Service NSW is the government’s one-stop shop for transactions and has many locations around NSW. Service NSW service centres and affiliated locations where Proof of Identity checks can be done can be searched for on its website

You are required to bring to your appointment 100 points of identification (see back of Interim Certificate for more information) and your Interim Certificate.

YES! You are permitted to work immediately with your interim certificate for a period of up to ninety (90) days in which time you will be required to apply for your competency card from your nearest Service NSW centre. Please remember it can take 3 weeks to process the card, so don’t leave until the last minute or you may find you are unable to work.

Please refer to the NSW Liquor & Gaming for further information NSW L&G

The video assessment confirms your understanding of the course material, and allows you to demonstrate the refusal of service in certain scenarios. NSW introduced this requirement to prevent misuse of online RSA certificates and to ensure appropriate communication skills are demonstrated. Without completing this mandatory step, certification cannot be issued.

Yes. AAAT is an L&G NSW–approved provider, and the course is mapped directly to the Liquor Act 2007, Liquor Regulation 2018, and NSW’s RSA Competency Framework.

NSW has unique intoxication laws, harm minimisation rules, and mandatory video assessment requirements. A National RSA is not accepted unless completed through an approved NSW RTO and in addition will require you to complete a “bridging unit” to ensure you are familiar with NSW’s specific requirements.

Yes. Your interim certificate is generated instantly following successful completion of the course, allowing you to work immediately while applying for your Competency Card.

After receiving your interim certificate, visit Service NSW with your ID to finalise your digital or physical RSA Competency Card (valid for 5 years).

• Learners must submit a short video identifying themselves with their ID and providing a verbal response to an assessment question

• A Demonstration of refusal-of-service strategies including refusing service to a customer, seeking support and informing your manager of an incident

Your videos will be reviewed by an approved assessor. You are not being assessed on your acting ability, so don’t worry about that, we are just trying to evidence that you understand the requirements and communicate that clearly to others.


Yes. Your progress is saved automatically across all devices.

AAAT allows 3 months of access to our training platform for you to complete and submit your course.

You can reattempt the assessment. Trainers will provide feedback and guidance based on NSW regulatory expectations.

You are required to upload your ID document (passport, drivers license etc) so that we can identify you. You will also be required to evidence this at the start of the video submissions so that we be certain it is you that is submitting the work.

A NSW RSA is recognised in most Australian States as it generally meets the requirements of the National Unit of Competence- SITHFAB021 - Provide responsible service of alcohol however you may be required to complete a refresher or bridging unit depending on which state you are seeking to work in. The NSW RSA is not recognised in Victoria which has specific requirements for RSA training, and you will need to complete your Victorian RSA with an approved provider such as Access All Areas Training.

Yes. Renewal is required every 5 years via L&G NSW.

The course explains NSW penalties for:

• Serving intoxicated persons

• Serving minors

• Failing to remove intoxicated patrons

• Breaching licence conditions

Yes. NSW-specific high-risk precinct rules and additional enforcement powers are included.

Yes. Employers can authenticate the interim certificate directly via L&G NSW systems.

Yes. This RSA course is approved by Liquor & Gaming NSW and complies with the mandatory NSW RSA framework. NSW does not accept generic national RSA certificates on their own, as the state imposes additional requirements around assessment, intoxication management, and identity verification. Completing RSA through an approved NSW provider ensures legal recognition by employers and inspectors.

We issue certificates once daily (Mon-Fri) for all students who have successfully passed their assessment and provided the required video assessment. If you submit your requirements before our daily cutoff, you will receive your Interim Certificate the same business day. This certificate allows you to begin working immediately for up to 90 days while you order your Photo Competency Card.

Not automatically. If you hold a valid RSA from another state (QLD, WA, SA, NT, TAS) that is less than 5 years old, you do not need to redo the full course. Instead, you are eligible to complete the NSW RSA Bridging Course directly through Liquor & Gaming NSW. If your interstate RSA is expired, or you have never held one, you must complete this full NSW RSA course.

At AAAT we are very proud of the business we have built, and wanted to let you know why we think we are different to the other training companies.

If you chose AAAT for your training you will get;

  • Your own online training account where you can store and access your accreditations and course material. You can keep this access even after you have finished for future reference
  • Engaging content via a genuine on-line learning environment (not just boring old PDF or PowerPoint slides!)
  • A training and assessment team with a strong history in the hospitality industry. We only provide training for the Hospitality Industry.
  • A team focussed on making your learning work for you and getting you the accreditation you need as soon as possible. We have helped over 60,000 students get their training accreditations.

Perhaps, our clients say it best….

Having been in the hospitality industry for over 35 years and due to the requirement to move interstate and internationally I’ve been required to complete a range of RSA courses. The Access All Areas training programme is one of the best training modules I have completed

Mike, General Manager Resort Hotel, TAS

Just a quick email to mention how Alicia was exceptional with me today. She helped me throughout my RSA NSW online course and even stayed after work to make sure I would get my certificate -she saved my job and deserves the ''employee of the month''

William, NSW

I really appreciated the videos to make the situations more realistic. I also appreciated the 2nd and 3rd opportunities to get the answer correct rather than just being rejected as unsuccessful. It was also extremely helpful to know you were just a phone call away when I got really stuck.

Robyn, SA Vineyard

The Access All Areas RSA training programme was convenient and uncomplicated. The system was easy to navigate through and their customer service was excellent.

Mark, NSW

Disclaimer: Access All Areas Training (AAAT) is an ASQA-registered Registered Training Organisation (RTO 52312). We have been delivering nationally accredited RSA and hospitality compliance training across Australia since 2010 — over 20 years of experience. More than 200,000 students have completed their training with AAAT. Verify our registration at training.gov.au.

Please note: This course meets the requirements of Liquor and Gaming NSW at the time of publication. RSA requirements in NSW can change — students are encouraged to verify current requirements with Liquor and Gaming NSW before enrolling. Learn more about our credentials and team on our About page.


DELIVERY AND ASSESSMENT

SITHFAB021 – Provide responsible service of alcohol - Unit Requirements

This nationally recognised unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to responsibly sell or serve alcohol.

Responsible practices must be undertaken wherever alcohol is sold or served, including where alcohol samples are served during on-site product tastings. This unit, therefore, applies to any workplace where alcohol is sold or served, including all types of hospitality venues, packaged liquor outlets and wineries, breweries and distilleries.

THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR LEARNERS WHO:

The unit applies to all levels of sales personnel involved in the sale, service and promotional service of alcohol in licensed premises. Those selling or serving alcohol may include food and beverage attendants; packaged liquor salespersons selling in person, over the phone or online; winery, brewery and distillery cellar door staff; and supplier sales representatives. The unit also applies to security staff who monitor customer behaviour and to the licensee who is ultimately responsible for responsible service of alcohol (RSA) management.

EVIDENCE GATHERING

Assessment is undertaken using different formats, yet:

  • All assessments are untimed and are conducted as open book assessment (this means you can refer to your Learner Guide or any other material during the assessment).
  • You must read and respond to all questions,
  • You must complete the task independently and using your own words.
  • No marks or grades are allocated for this assessment task. The outcome of the task will be Satisfactory or Not Yet Satisfactory.
  • Not Yet Satisfactory will be followed up by the assessor with feedback. You must review this and resubmit your assessment considering the feedback
  • As you complete this assessment task you are predominately demonstrating your knowledge to your trainer/assessor.
  • Current and authorised Identification must be submitted
AMOUNT OF TRAINING

Your course will take you around six (6) hours to work through the learning material and then around two (2) hours of assessment, depending upon your previous experience.

To ensure that you meet the learning outcomes for this unit, you are asked to complete the following General Assessment requirements – there are two (2) main sections of the assessment – Knowledge and Performance.

Knowledge assessments assess your ability to understand legislation, operational requirements to maintain required standards and duty of care around the service and consumption of alcohol.

Performance evidence is gathered by assessing your ability to undertake practical activities in working in a business which serves and sells alcohol, safely.

ASSESSMENT

Before enrolling, all learners must read and agree to the course Terms and Conditions.

They must also confirm that:

  • All work submitted will be their own.
  • They understand the refund policy.
  • They acknowledge they have three (3) months to complete the course.
Learning and Progression

Learners can progress through each of the six (6) learning chapters at their own pace, allowing for individual learning needs. Each chapter includes the required learning content, support materials, videos, and resources necessary to complete the assessment.

Upon successful enrolment (including provision of a valid USI), learners are granted full access to the course and can begin progressing through the chapters.

Assessment Components

Quiz Questions

  • Each chapter includes quiz questions based on the content.
  • NSW L&G mandated progress question are incorporated throughout the program and must also be answered correctly in order to progress to the next section
  • All questions must be answered correctly to proceed to the next chapter.
  • Learners have three (3) attempts to pass each quiz.
  • After three unsuccessful attempts, course access will be temporarily locked.

Free Text Responses

  • Learners must complete written responses to specific questions.
  • Answers must meet the required benchmarks to be marked as satisfactory.

Case Studies

  • Four (4) scenario-based case studies are included.
  • These reflect real-world situations that staff may encounter in licensed venues.

Video Verification

  • Learners must submit a short video holding their photo ID, stating their full name and date of birth.
  • In the same video, learners must answer a set assessment question.

Role Plays

  • Three (3) role plays must be submitted.
  • These demonstrate refusal of service, seeking support, and informing a manager of an incident.

Competency Conversation

  • This is only required if the assessor identifies minor gaps in submitted assessments.
  • A short verbal discussion may be conducted to confirm understanding.

This process ensures all required knowledge and skills are assessed in line with the unit requirements.

FEEDBACK AND COMPLETION

Upon submission of all your assessments, a Trainer and Assessor will review your work. If any of your answers or videos do not meet requirements, feedback will be sent to you. Please read through this carefully, review the learning material and resubmit your work.

  • Please allow two (2) working days for assessment.
  • If you are marked as correct and email will be sent to you.
  • If your work does not meet requirements, feedback will be sent to you.
COURSE MATERIAL
  • Learning resources provided to you through our portal
  • Learning and assessment is conducted through our learning portal.
  • All your learning resources, including Liquor Regulations and guidelines, videos, legislation, and safety guides, are available on your learner portal.
  • Assessment material is online.
  • Links to regulatory agencies
  • Signage
  • House policy
  • applicable fact sheets
  • required templates
EQUIPMENT YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE ACCESS TO
  • Computer
  • Video recording device. Smart phone or tablet are fine
  • internet access and the ability to download templates and upload recorded content