The Basics of RSA course in QLD

Since 2008, it is compulsory for a person serving liquor and alcoholic beverages in the state of Queensland to complete an RSA course and hold a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Queensland Certificate. Each year, more people are complying with an RSA QLD course either to obtain a job in the hospitality industry or to take a new to keep their job. In this article, we will further discuss all the necessary information regarding RSA courses in QLD, from who should get it, the key lessons it involves, when it is available, where can you complete it and of course, why does the law require you to have one.

Who must obtain the RSA course?

All persons who serve and sell alcoholic beverages inside licensed venues or premises of QLD must hold an RSA QLD certificate. Also, if the licensee is an individual, instead of a corporation, a trust or an organization, he or she must also obtain the course.

If your venue is handled by a manager or supervisor, they should also complete an RSA course for they may need to help their frontline staff in making decisions during unexpected situations.

What are the key lessons involved in the course?

Even though the training for RSA QLD is intensive, it doesn’t take up much time. For most, the training takes around 4 – 5 hours which already includes breaks in between. The key lessons discussed during the course are:

Definition of a standard drink
The potential effects of alcohol in the human body and community
Recognising the signs of intoxication
The laws relating to service of alcohol – who can and cannot be served, the premises’ responsibility to keep patrons safe
House policies that can support responsible service of alcohol
How the RSA guidelines relate to private functions
How to refuse service
How to ask people to leave (though usually senior staff will do this)
Close down procedure

When can I avail of the course?

Nowadays, no one has to wait for weeks or months just to avail of an RSA course in their area, since numerous reputable training providers are on the rise and they are able to make the training more accessible for everyone.

Where can I complete an RSA QLD course?

Several training providers and institutions all throughout QLD are able to conduct and deliver an RSA course both online and offline. Others may provide you with instant certificate download, while some may send it out through mail. Ensure that you choose a training provider recognized by the proper authorities of Queensland, which is, the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR). Liquor regulations and licensing authorities differ in every state.

Why does the law require you to hold an RSA Certificate?

The main reason why the law requires you to have an RSA certificate is to make sure that no licensed venue and employee will act against the laws that regulate alcohol serving and consumption in Australia. This is because these laws were specifically designed to protect the community from excessive alcohol consumption and from individuals who have and continuously consume excessive amounts of alcohol.

A RSA QLD course is indispensable for all persons who serve liquor and alcoholic beverages in QLD. The other states and territories use a nationally accepted certificate. Queensland prefers to implement various levels and types of training standards since it has the largest tourism economy among all the other Australian states and territories.