Do You Need an RSA in Queensland?

If you serve or supply alcohol at a licensed venue in Queensland, you need a current RSA certificate, and you have 30 days from your first day on the job to get it. That covers bartenders, glass collectors, floor staff and room service staff. There is no card, and the certificate does not expire.

You can do the whole thing online. Melbourne Tech Institute's RSA course for Queensland is $59 all in.

Who has to hold an RSA in Queensland?

Having an RSA is a condition of the venue's liquor licence. Under section 141C of the Liquor Act 1992, the licensee (if they are an individual) and every member of staff involved in the service or supply of liquor must have a current training course certificate. The Act gives the examples of bartenders, glass collectors, floor hostesses and room service staff.

Business Queensland (the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, or OLGR) also lists approved managers, and says that regardless of age, all staff who serve or supply alcohol must have an RSA certificate. Crowd controllers working in the Brisbane Casino Area after 1am need one too.

What is the 30-day rule?

You do not need the certificate on day one. Section 141C(2) says the condition does not apply to a new staff member until 30 days after they join the staff. Business Queensland puts it plainly: complete your RSA training within 30 days of starting employment. That includes international students and travellers, according to Business Queensland.

In practice, do not leave it to day 29. Finish it before your first shift, or in your first week, and the question never comes up.

Do under-18s need an RSA?

Yes. If an under-18 is working somewhere they are allowed to be and their job involves serving or supplying liquor, the rule is the same. Business Queensland says all staff who serve or supply alcohol need the certificate, regardless of age.

Is there a card, and does it expire?

No card. Business Queensland states that in Queensland you will not get a card with your Statement of Attainment. Your proof is the Statement of Attainment from the registered training organisation (RTO) that ran the course. Keep a copy, because the licensee must keep a copy of each staff certificate and show it to an investigator at the premises.

Valid RSA certificates do not expire, and you only need to complete the training once. The exception is anyone who completed it before 2002. Source: Business Queensland, RSA certification. Lost your Statement of Attainment? Only the RTO that issued it can reissue it.

The exception: licensees and approved managers with an RMLV

Individual licensees and approved managers who hold a current RMLV (the Responsible Management of Licensed Venues certificate) do not need an RSA as well. An RMLV is different: it stays in force for 3 years after it is given. Everyone else who serves liquor needs the RSA.

Which course counts?

Regulation 38 of the Liquor Regulation 2002 says the course is 'Provide responsible service of alcohol', as a nationally recognised unit for which a Statement of Attainment is given. The current unit code is SITHFAB021. Queensland does not run a separate approval list for RSA providers, so the test is the nationally recognised unit from an RTO. MTI is RTO 45799. The step-by-step guide explains how our online course works.

Many Queensland venues also need a Food Safety Supervisor, which is a separate certificate. Our Food Safety Supervisor course for Queensland is $129.

Ready to start? Enrol in the Queensland RSA course for $59, or read the ID checking guide first.

Get your Queensland RSA online — $59 →