Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training provides the skills and knowledge to safely supply alcohol.
It is usually required if you want to work in a licensed venue or location.
If you are under 18, you can complete RSA training but must wait until you are 18 to serve alcohol.
You need to refresh your training every 3 years to keep your certificate current.
When RSA is required
You need a valid RSA certificate if you want to sell, offer or serve alcohol at a licensed venue or location with one of these licence types:
Staff must complete their RSA training within one month of the date they first supply alcohol.
You also need an RSA certificate if:
- you are applying for a permanent licence or licence transfer (except a BYO permit or pre-retail licence)
- your licence has a special condition that requires it.
Read about training for licensees and when you might get an exemption from RSA training.
What you learn
The approved Victorian RSA course includes the national training unit 'Provide responsible service of alcohol (SITHFAB021)'.
It also includes topics specific to Victoria, including:
- Victorian liquor laws
- drink spiking
- ID checks and preventing secondary supply
- use of prone restraint (holding a person face down on the ground)
- harm minimisation strategies
- compliance and enforcement.
From 1 December 2025, RSA training (including the RSA Refresher course) will include a new module to help staff recognise, prevent and respond to sexual harassment and assault at a licensed venue.
Where to get trained
In Victoria, you must complete an RSA course that we have approved. Check the list of providers who can deliver this course.
Training can be in person or online.
Look for the ‘Liquor Control Victoria Approved RSA Provider’ logo on training websites and advertising. It looks like this:
RSA certificates
When you complete the course you get an RSA Certificate of Completion. Give a copy of it to your employer.
This is an example of each certificate:
Replace your RSA certificate
If you have lost your RSA certificate, you can get a new one for free by completing the RSA Refresher course.
To access the course, you'll need your RSA certificate number. To get your number, email us at contact@liquor.vic.gov.au with:
- your full name and date of birth
- when you completed the original course
- the name of the training organisation.
Once you complete the refresher, you get a new certificate to download.
If you want to change your name on your certificate, email us at contact@liquor.vic.gov.au with your full name, date of birth and certificate number. There is no cost to update your certificate when you change your name. We may ask you for identification documents.
RSA Refresher course
You need to complete an RSA Refresher course(opens in a new window) every 3 years to keep your certificate current.
The course:
- is free
- takes about 30 minutes to complete
- is available online.
To access the course, you'll need your original RSA certificate number. It's on the bottom right of your certificate or top right if your certificate was issued before 31 January 2023.
If you do not have the certificate number, email us at contact@liquor.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window). Tell us your full name, date of birth, when you completed the original course and name of the training organisation. We will verify your details and provide the number.
After you complete the refresher course, download and print your new certificate. Give a copy to your employer.
Interstate RSA training
If you completed RSA training in another Australian state or territory, you can apply to complete the bridging course to have your certificate recognised in Victoria.
The free bridging course, called RSA Refresher, gives you a Victorian RSA certificate.
To apply, your interstate RSA qualification must:
- have been done through a training organisation approved by the interstate liquor licensing authority
- be no older than 3 years
- permit you to work in any class or type of licensed premises.
If your interstate RSA certificate does not meet these requirements, we will decline your application. Allow 10 working days for us to process your application.
Apply for the bridging course through RSA Online Services.
You must be 16 years or older to do the bridging course in Victoria. You cannot serve alcohol until you are 18.
If you want to use a Victorian RSA certificate in another state or territory, most will accept the Statement of Attainment that a registered training organisation issues when you complete the course.
Interstate staff at producers' events
You do not need to do a bridging (RSA Refresher) course if you are supplying alcohol at a producers' event.
Producers' events are one-off or short-term events that accept either a:
- current Victorian RSA certificate
- Statement of Attainment from the Nationally Accredited Training unit (either SITHFAB009A, SITHFAB201, SITHFAB002 or SITHFAB021).
Updated