All paid and volunteer staff engaged by a liquor licensee that sell, offer for sale or serve alcohol must have successfully completed nationally accredited responsible service of alcohol (RSA) training by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) approved by the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner (Commissioner). This is a requirement of the General Code of Practice (the Code) under the Liquor Licensing Act 1997.

The training must be completed no later than three months after the commencement of the engagement.

Exceptions include:

  • a liquor production and sales licence that does not authorise the sale or supply of liquor for consumption on licensed premises
  • a packaged liquor sales licence that only authorises the licensee to sell liquor through direct sales transactions
  • a short term licence unless this clause is applied in relation to the licence by a licence condition imposed by the licensing authority, taking into account the nature and extent of the operations conducted under the licence
  • the sale or supply of liquor to a resident for consumption on licensed premises
  • an interstate direct sales licence.

All security personnel engaged by a liquor licensee must also have completed nationally accredited RSA training by an RTO approved by the Commissioner prior to their engagement.

The guidelines set out the requirements for RTOs to be approved to conduct RSA training for licensing purposes. Failure to comply with the guidelines may result in revocation of approval.

Guidelines for registered training organisations seeking approval to conduct Responsible Service of Alcohol training