RSA Training

This course covers the requirements of the unit of competency – SITHFAB021 Provide responsible service of alcohol.

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

The unit applies to all levels of personnel involved in the sale, service, including promotional service and supply 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; delivery services 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.

The unit incorporates the knowledge requirements, under state and territory liquor licensing law, for employees engaged in the sale, service or supply of alcohol.

Certification requirements differ across states and territories. In some cases, all people involved in the sale, service including promotional service and supply of alcohol in licensed premises must be certified in this unit. This can include the licensee and security staff.

On successful completion, participants receive a Statement of Attainment (from VEG Education) and a RSA Completion Certificate (from Liquor Control Victoria).

Upon completing this course, VEG Education will submit all participants details to Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) and issue a Statement of Attainment.

The Statement of Attainment will be emailed to participants straight away.

LCV will email all participants about completing an additional online module Sexual Harassment and Assault: Recognise, Prevent and Respond available on Liquor Control Victoria’s (LCV) Learning Hub.

After you have completed that module LCV will email the official Victorian RSA Completion Certificate to the details provided.

If participants have received their Statement of Attainment but have not received their LCV Completion Certificate within three weeks, please contact LCV directly for an update.

VEG Education are are unable to issue a Statement of Attainment without your USI number. To ensure there are no delays, please submit your USI at enrolment.

Follow the principles of responsible service of alcohol

• Identify the provisions of relevant state or territory legislation, licensing requirements, house policy and responsible service of alcohol principles.
• Where appropriate, request and obtain acceptable proof of age prior to sale or service.
• Provide accurate information to customers on alcoholic beverages according to organisation or house policy and government legislation.
• Assist customers with information on a range of non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
• Identify issues related to the sale or service of alcohol to different types of customers, especially those at risk.

Assist customers to drink within appropriate limits

• Use knowledge of industry requirements and professional standards to determine the volume for standard drinks or samples.
• Use a professional manner to encourage customers to drink within appropriate limits.
• Identify erratic drinking patterns as an early sign of possible intoxication and take appropriate action.
• Monitor emotional and physical state of customers for signs of intoxication and signs of illicit or other drug use.
• Where appropriate, offer food and non-alcoholic beverages in accordance with house policy.
• Decline requests for alcohol to be dispensed in a manner that is irresponsible and advise customers of the reasons for the refusal.

Assess alcohol affected customers and identify those to whom sale or service must be refused

• Assess the intoxication levels of customers using appropriate methods.
• Identify factors that may affect individual responses to alcohol.
• Identify customers to whom sale or service must be refused according to state and territory legislation.

Refuse to provide alcohol

• Refuse sale or service in a professional manner, state reasons for the refusal, and where appropriate point out signage.
• Provide appropriate assistance to customers when refusing service.
• Where appropriate, give customers a verbal warning and ask them to leave the premises according to organisational or house requirements, the specific situation, and provisions of state or territory legislation and regulations.
• Use appropriate communication and conflict resolution skills to handle difficult situations.
• Refer difficult situations beyond the scope of your own responsibility to the appropriate person.
• Promptly identify situations that pose a threat to the safety or security of colleagues, customers or property, and seek assistance from appropriate colleagues according to organisational or house policy.

The RSA certificate is valid for three years, after which you must complete a free refresher course. A new certificate will be issued upon completion of the refresher course.

The refresher course can only be completed by Liquor Control Victoria. Do not pay for or complete this training through any other training provider.