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    National code: SITSS00071

    Responsible Service of Alcohol

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    Responsible Service of Alcohol
    Overview

    About this course

    Get qualified to serve alcohol in licensed venues in NSW and start your career in hospitality. If your RSA photo competency card is less than 5 years old, contact Liquor & Gaming NSW to complete your refresher course.

    Outcomes

    What you'll gain

    Learning outcomes

    Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

    • sell and serve alcohol responsibly

    • assess customers affected by alcohol

    • identify when to refuse the sale or service of alcohol

    • use harm minimisation strategies

    • understand liquor laws and compliance.

    Course outcomes

    Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

    • A nationally accredited Statement of Attainment.

    • The mandatory qualification needed to serve or sell alcohol in licensed venues in NSW.

    • Pathways to further study in hospitality.

    Suitability

    Is this course right for you?

    Entry requirements

    Some courses require evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol.

    • There are no entry requirements for this qualification. You can enrol today.

    Entry recommendations

    To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

    • reached at least 17 years of age (so you can work in the industry when you turn 18)

    • the ability to stand for long periods

    • a willingness to do shift work

    • good judgement skills.

    Have you completed an RSA in NSW in the last 5 years?

    • If you have completed an RSA course in NSW with an approved training provider in the past 5 years and obtained an interim certificate or RSA competency card, you cannot enrol in this course.

    • Instead, you must complete your RSA refresher course through Liquor & Gaming NSW, as they are the sole provider.

    We tailor our courses to meet local community needs, so some campuses may have extra entry requirements. Check your preferred location for details. Need help preparing? Contact us for support.

    Find Your Fit

    This simple tool guides you to a suitable course level based on your foundation skills and confidence.

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    Pathways

    Future career and study options

    Career pathways

    Our graduates go onto roles like: bartender, food and beverage attendant, cafe attendant, function attendant and restaurant manager.

    Licensing

    Liquor & Gaming NSW is the government body that regulates the liquor industry in New South Wales. TAFE NSW is approved by Liquor & Gaming NSW for 2025–2026 to deliver: RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol), RCG (Responsible Conduct of Gambling) and Licensee and Advanced Licensee courses.

    When you finish your RSA course, you’ll receive an interim RSA certificate. You must take this certificate to Service NSW to get your RSA competency card. This card allows you to legally serve, sell or supply alcohol in the industry. The card is valid for 5 years. When it expires, you must contact Liquor & Gaming NSW and complete a refresher course to be issued with a new RSA photo competency card.

    Recognition of RSA and RCG in other states is not automatic. Each state has different laws and requirements for the responsible service of alcohol. If you plan to work outside NSW, check with the relevant state authority to see if your NSW RSA or RCG competency is accepted.

    Study pathways

    Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

    Previous study0 Courses

    Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

    The Responsible Service of Alcohol does not have any pre-requisite courses.

    Further study3 Courses

    Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

    Related study1 Course

    Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

    Your experience counts

    At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.

    Units

    Units taught in this course

    Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.

    • Provide responsible service of alcoholSITHFAB021

    TAFE NSW services

    Facilities and support

    TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.

    • TAFE NSW Disability Support Service

    • TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support

    • TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)

    • TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service

    • TAFE NSW Libraries

    • Scholarship programs - be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential

    • Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home

    • LinkedIn Learning - an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills

    • Student associations - get social with our student community

    Info sessions

    Want to know more?

    There are a total of 2 information sessions planned for this course. They'll take place at different locations across the state.

    You can view all sessions related to Food and Hospitality.

    Study options

    Find a location to enrol