Responsible Service of Alcohol, otherwise known as a RSA, is a series of rules and regulations you must be aware of to serve alcoholic beverages at an Australian establishment. TAFE courses are available for a wide range of individuals, including bar staff, hostesses and waiters, promotional staff, managers, bottle shop attendants and anyone else who may be involved with the selling of alcohol. Since every state holds its own legislation in regards to liquor, you must be certified in your region to legally serve alcohol. Fortunately, these courses can be completed at various institutions that offer TAFE courses. In fact, your completion toward certification can even be done online.
It is essential you register for courses you need prior to working in the hospitality industry. Failure to do so can reduce your employment options. Being certified will increase your chances of finding work, while skipping the process can lead to many struggles in the job hunt. If you are an entrepreneur attempting to start an establishment serving alcohol, not being certified can threaten your new business, and be punishable to the full extent of Australian law. To protect yourself and your livelihood, take the time to enroll in the RSA courses required by your state. Remember, if you plan to expand your business to other states, you must abide by the individual rules of that region.
Completing TAFE courses online is the simplest way to become RSA certified. Many who come to Australia from abroad, or those who are not familiar with the food and beverage industry, may not be aware of the RSA rules until they try to nab a job. Then, they often need to hustle to get the certificate they need to be employable. One of the easiest ways to get this done is to work with an organisation like Quality Hospitality International or Training Course Professionals. QHI will provide the certification necessary to work in Queensland, while TSI will certify you for employment in New South Wales, Sydney and Victoria. While TSI's courses do certify for all of the mentioned regions, you will be responsible for traveling to Sydney for the classroom portion of certification. Then, you can complete a free online upgrade to be certified in other states.
Refresher courses are also available for those who need to update their credentials in order to continue working in Australia. Again, the courses vary by state, but generally teach a similar curriculum and take around the same amount of time. Best of all, refresher courses usually take only about an hour to complete, as opposed to your first go at the courses, which usually takes 4-6 hours online or in person.
During your selected course, you will learn many things about liquor operations in your state. This includes the prevention of intoxication at your business, recognising the signs of intoxication and learning how to be a responsible member of the community that knows how to effectively deal with inebriated patrons.
Taking an RSA course is simple and easy to do, and will greatly benefit your career prospects. Sign up for one today by visiting one of the above recommended TAFEs, or conducting a search in your local area.
Leave a Reply