Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA)
Unit Code: SITHFAB002
Unit Name: Provide responsible service of alcohol
General Description
Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) is a unit of competency within the SIT training package and can be completed on its own. A Nationally Recognised Statement of Attainment (SoA) will be issued to the student upon successful completion.
The RSA course content covers the legal requirements for a person to work in a bar or restaurant serving alcohol. It focuses on the areas of identifying intoxicated customers, customer service with attention to refusal of service to patrons, compliance with legal issues and assisting customers to drink sensibly. This course is designed for staff members who are currently working in the industry or intend to work in the hospitality industry. It is a requirement in Western Australia that all staff working in venues that sell alcoholic beverages undertake this Responsible service of alcohol course.
As an international student, it is important for you to know a bit more about the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA). This course must be undertaken before you can work in places where alcohol is legally served anywhere around Australia.
It is important to remember that the laws can differ in all 7 States and Territories, meaning each RSA course will also have different rules and requirements and an RSA valid in Queensland might not be satisfactory in Victoria (or any other state) and vice versa.
Unit Application
This 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.
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 sales persons 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.
The unit incorporates the knowledge requirements, under state and territory liquor licensing law, for employees engaged in the sale or service of alcohol.
Certification requirements differ across states and territories. In some cases all people involved in the sale, service and promotional service of alcohol in licensed premises must be certified in this unit. This can include the licensee and security staff.
This unit covers the RSA skill and knowledge requirements common to all States and Territories. Some legislative requirements and knowledge will differ across borders. In some cases after completion of this unit, state and territory liquor authorities require candidates to complete a bridging course to address these specific differences.
Australian Professional Skills Institute is an CRICOS Registered Provider (03255G) to International students on student visas (subclass 500)
Please note international overseas student in Australia on a student visa is permitted to undertake additional study (that is, a course of education or training) at the same time as the principal course for which they hold a student visa. However, any course undertaken by a student visa holder must be registered on CRICOS. A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is also required for any additional study in a course undertaken by an overseas student whilst in Australia on a student visa.
International students can refer to the information on ASQA website regarding International students who want to undertake additional study at the same time.
When you are beginning your search for a job, a good way to prepare yourself is making sure your resume is job ready.
This one day short course Responsible service of Alcohol (RSA) helps you to be aware of alcohol laws such as:
• The amount of alcohol a drink can contain
• How many drinks an individual person can have at the same time
• How to deal with intoxicated people (when a person has consumed more drinks than they should) and what is the correct procedure when you come across an intoxicated patron.
By completing your RSA, and having it listed on your resume you are opening yourself up to a wider range of job opportunities. As most jobs for students are in the hospitality industry in areas such as restaurants and cafes, it also includes bars and nightclubs where it is a requirement to have a valid RSA for the relevant State.
It is not only required for bartenders who are preparing and selling the drinks directly, but also for “glassies” (those collecting empty glasses and bottles) and anyone that is working on the bar.
Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) allows students to understand and comply with the legal responsibilities associated with the service of alcohol and Harm Minimisation.
It covers the following topics:
- Problems associated with excessive consumption
- Alcohol and relevant state or territory legislation, licensing requirements
- Sell or serve alcohol responsibly
- Facts About alcohol
- Assist customers to drink within appropriate limits
- Assess alcohol affected customers and identify those to whom sale or service must be refused
- How to refuse to provide alcohol in a professional manner
- How to handling difficult customers by using appropriate communication and conflict resolution skills
Group bookings and off-site delivery are available. Please email to info@apsi.edu.au for details
Intake Dates
There are two components to this course.
The first part is knowledge-based assessments which is undertaken online through our e-learning platform
The second part is practical observation with scenarios and role plays which must be conducted at APSI’s East Perth campus with our hospitality trainer.
Practical training will be available usually weekly, but to be confirmed at the time of enrolment.
Mode of Delivery
This course is delivered in two parts.
Part 1 is Self-paced e-learning whereas participants are given a full set of course materials and assessments through APSI online portal.
Part 2 is a practical session where you are required to demonstrate your RSA skills via practical observation, role plays and scenarios.
Once you have successfully completed the written and practical assessments, the certificate will usually be issued within two Working days.
Course Duration
Self-paced online study
Practical workshop – 3-4 hours
Qualification
A nationally recognised statement of attainment will be issued upon successful completion of all assessments.
Tuition Fee
- $150 per person
- For more terms & conditions and refund policy, please click here.
Uniform
Uniform is not required for RSA Students.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL is available to anyone who has experience working in a commercial kitchen.
RPL:
- provides an alternative pathway to achieving a qualification without course attendance
- is a consultative process between with the candidate and the assessor to determine whether the candidate has acquired the requisite learning, skills and knowledge to demonstrate that they have achieved the required learning outcomes or performance criteria of the course or qualification, for which the candidate is seeking
- identifies where appropriate additional learning experiences or training gaps are needed to achieve the course or qualification
- is the conduct of an assessment to confirm competency.
APSI has developed a process that promotes holistic and task-based assessment. It focuses on relating assessment activities to actual job tasks. The intention of this model is to streamline and simplify the process of recognising competency.
Prior to RPL, information is provided to the candidate on the assessment process. Specific advice is given to each candidate on how they can demonstrate their competence and what documentary evidence is required to support their application. Each industry has unique documents that can provide evidence of experience and competence.
The candidate is required to provide adequate information prior to, throughout and after a training and assessment experience. The assessor, in this process, needs to be fully aware of the needs of the candidate and help them identify relevant workplace personnel who can confirm the candidate’s competency.
The focus of the APSI streamlined holistic assessment process is to focus on demonstrated skills and knowledge and not to rely purely on documentary evidence as the main source of evidence.
Some examples of documentary evidence that can support the process include:
- licences such as First Aid, RSA
- CV or work history with details of job role and responsibilities
- previous qualifications from overseas and Australia
- certificates and records of results or assessments completed with other RTO’s
- photographs of work undertaken
- samples of related project work
- diaries of tasks performed
- task sheets/job sheets/logbooks
- site training records
- pay slips / employment contracts / job descriptions
- memberships of relevant professional associations
- references/letters/third party reports from previous employers/supervisors
- industry awards
- performance appraisals
An RPL application kit can be obtained from APSI.
Location of Delivery
Wellington Fair, unit 12, 200 Wellington Street, East Perth, WA 6004 Western Australia
Disclaimer
The information contained on this website is current at the time of publishing. Australian Professional Skills Institute reserves the right to change the admission requirements, fees, location of delivery and units of competency whenever necessary. Please contact us for the most current information.
