The Official AIFS

NSW Responsible Service of Alcohol Course

Required for all persons working with alcohol, this training informs you of your legal responsibilities regarding the safe and responsible service of alcohol and how to minimise harm.
In Australia, anyone who serves or sells alcohol needs to be trained in the responsible service of alcoholic beverages.When you complete your RSA training online with AIFS you will:
  • Obtain RSA skills recognised Australia-wide
  • Complete your RSA course faster
  • Get the support you need
  • Save time with a hassle-free RSA Virtual Video Assessment process
Responsible Service of Alcohol Course
for-job-seekers-icon-Study online, whenever you want

Study online, whenever you want

Enjoy the convenience of doing your RSA training anywhere, at any time of the day or night.
for-job-seekers-icon-Finish in a few hours, or take your time

Finish in a few hours, or take your time

Complete your alcohol service training in just a few hours, or take up to 12 months.
for-job-seekers-icon-From Course to Competency Card

From Course to Competency Card

Start work on your Interim Certificate while you apply for your NSW Competency Card. Learn More
for-job-seekers-icon-Get the support you need

Get the support you need

Our qualified trainers and assessors are here to provide the support you need when you need it.
for-job-seekers-icon-Nationally recognised

Nationally recognised

Be sure of acceptance with an RSA course that is recognised Australia-wide.
for-job-seekers-icon-Save time with a Virtual Video Assessment

Save time with a Virtual Video Assessment

No Observers or workplace simulation required - just a webcam and microphone.

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Course Outline

Develop a solid understanding of safe alcohol service
When you enrol in the official AIFS Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Course, you have access to everything you need to gain a solid understanding of your legal responsibilities regarding the safe and responsible service of alcohol as well as how to minimise harm.With AIFS there are:
  • No hidden prerequisites
  • No hidden assessment requirements
  • No hidden fees or charges
Immediate StartAs soon as you sign up, you have instant access to your course. You will be given up to 12 months to complete it, with the flexibility to start and stop at any time.Training recognised Australia-wideAIFS is a Registered Training Organisation that's approved to deliver Responsible Service of Alcohol training in every state and territory in Australia.Be confident knowing that your AIFS qualification is compliant and will be recognised Australia-wide.
COURSE OUTLINE
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The NSW RSA course is split into six modules designed in accordance with Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&G NSW) regulations.The modules in the course are:
  • Module 1 - The principles of Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA)
  • Module 2 - NSW liquor laws and compliance
  • Module 3 - Serving responsibly: Drink standards and safe practices
  • Module 4 - Spotting the signs: Intoxication and risk awareness
  • Module 5 - Saying no: How to refuse the sale or service of alcohol respectfully
  • Module 6 - Harm minimisation strategies
QuizzesEach module ends with a multiple choice quiz. You need to score 100% to pass a quiz and unlock the next module. You have 3 attempts at each quiz. If you use all 3 attempts, contact our Support Team and we'll help you keep progressing.Final AssessmentAfter you finish Module 6 and its quiz, you complete the Final Assessment (21 questions). It brings together the written questions from all six modules into one place, and you answer them in your own words. One of our qualified assessors marks your answers and gives you your result. Take your time and check your answers before you submit.Virtual Video AssessmentIn order to comply with NSW government requirements for Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training, you need to demonstrate that you can perform certain tasks correctly.To complete this practical component, you'll record two mandatory role-plays. To do so, you'll need a mobile device, laptop or desktop computer with a webcam and microphone.You'll receive an email with instructions on how to use our interactive tool to record and submit both role-plays.One of our qualified assessors will assess your role-plays and provide your results.Quality Assurance ProcessAs part of our quality assurance process, we reserve the right to contact you to conduct a competency conversation or verification of assessment prior to awarding certification.
There are no training prerequisites for the RSA course - you can simply enrol and get started.Language, Literacy and NumeracyWhile there are no training prerequisites, there are some requirements around language, literacy and numeracy. In order to complete this course you should be able to perform everyday tasks such as:
  • Reading and responding to messages in social media
  • Sending an email to enquire about accommodation
  • Attending and participating in a community meeting
  • Creating a personal weekly budget in a spreadsheet
If you have any concerns about the skills required to participate in this course, please contact us and we'll be happy to discuss your situation.
You need to make sure that you have the following in order to be able to complete the AIFS Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Course:1. A modern web browserAt AIFS we use some of the latest eLearning technologies to deliver the courses. You will need to have a modern web browser to view and complete the course (Google Chrome is recommended), and it's important that you have Javascript enabled.2. An email addressDuring the registration process, we will ask you for your email address. This is a mandatory requirement for you to be able to access our systems. Email addresses cannot be shared by students.3. Adobe PDF Reader or Adobe AcrobatSome elements of the course (e.g. Practical Video Assessment Instructions) are in PDF format. Ensure that you have the latest version of Adobe PDF Reader. AIFS courses work on most computers, laptops, tablets and mobile devices.4. For Virtual Video Assessment only: A device with a webcam and microphoneTo submit your Video Assessment, you will need a device with an enabled webcam and microphone to record the video.

Be Trained for Your Industry Sector

Develop expert skills with sector-specific alcohol server training
Hospitality
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Hospitality businesses prepare and serve alcoholic beverages for customers to consume on the premises.The unit of competency awarded for the course is:SITHFAB021 - Provide responsible service of alcohol
Training for the hospitality sectorIndustry-specific alcohol server training is offered for the hospitality sector.When you complete the AIFS Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Course, you'll receive a Statement of Attainment.This lists the unit of competency you've attained.If you successfully complete the NSW RSA course, you'll receive a Statement of Attainment and an Interim Certificate by email within 3 business days of finishing your course and assessment. The Interim Certificate lets you start working while your official photo Competency Card is issued.To get your Competency Card, you'll need to visit a Service NSW centre in person with your Interim Certificate. Your card will be mailed to you within around 5 weeks. Your Interim Certificate is valid for 90 days, so it's worth booking your Service NSW visit soon after completing the course. For more information on the process for obtaining a NSW Competency Card visit this page.

What is an Alcohol Server?

Understand your responsibilities and legal requirements
An alcohol server is someone who takes orders for alcohol beverages, pours or serves alcoholic beverages in an establishment licensed to serve alcohol.Alcohol servers are required to:
  • Have basic knowledge of alcohol service
  • Be skilled in the tasks for which they are responsible for
  • Understand the laws specific to their job
Anyone who serves alcohol is considered an alcohol server and requires Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training.
Eligibility
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Anyone can enrol in the AIFS Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Course. There are no prerequisites and no prior alcohol service experience or knowledge is required.Proper alcohol service training is a state requirement. Whether you're just starting out or are an experienced server, with RSA training you'll be able to:
  • Meet the state requirement
  • Attain nationally recognised RSA training
  • Develop safe alcohol service skills
A Statement of Attainment is a document (like a certificate) that is issued to a student who has completed a nationally recognised training course.Once you've successfully completed the AIFS Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Course, you will receive a valid Statement of Attainment, containing the unit of competency.If you successfully complete the NSW RSA course, you'll receive a Statement of Attainment and an Interim Certificate by email within 3 business days of finishing your course and assessment. The Interim Certificate lets you start working while your official photo Competency Card is issued.To get your Competency Card, you'll need to visit a Service NSW centre in person with your Interim Certificate. Your card will be mailed to you within around 5 weeks. Your Interim Certificate is valid for 90 days, so it's worth booking your Service NSW visit soon after completing the course. For more information on the process for obtaining a NSW Competency Card visit this page.
As a Registered Training Organisation, the Australian Institute of Food Safety has been approved to deliver RSA training in NSW and every other state and territory in Australia.This means that when you train with AIFS, you can feel secure knowing your RSA certification is compliant and will be accepted by local councils.

Common Questions

Find out more about the course as we answer our students' most common questions.
For how long do I have access to the NSW RSA course?From the day you sign up, you will be given 12 months to complete the RSA course including all the assessments.
When will I get my Statement of Attainment?Our assessors work full-time Monday to Friday and often process your Statement of Attainment within a few days of students completing the course.
How do I enrol in the NSW RSA course?Simply click on the blue 'Start Online Now' button on this page and follow the prompts. You'll be enrolled and ready to start in just a few minutes.
Do I need to go somewhere for an RSA exam?No, you don't need to go anywhere for your assessment. You can complete the entire course within the comfort of your own home and workplace, at a time that suits you.
Why does the NSW RSA course cost more than other states?If you've compared prices across states, you may have noticed that the NSW RSA course costs more than RSA training in other parts of Australia. The higher course cost reflects a fee that's specific to how RSA certification works in NSW.
When will I receive my NSW interim certificate?We lodge your completion with Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) within 3 business days if you successfully complete the RSA (NSW) course. Once lodged, L&GNSW will issue your interim certificate to you by email.