Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) - Everything You Need To Know
Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) – What is it?
The Liquor Harm Minimisation Act was developed by Government in 1996 and this along with the Responsible Service of Alcohol Training Amendments of 2003 helps to give hospitality staff members the necessary training and knowledge to recognise intoxicated patrons, prevent excessive intoxication or refuse service.Responsible Service of Alcohol Course
A Responsible Service of Alcohol course is a course conducted (usually over a half day or six hour period) to educate people involved in the sale, supply, or promotion of alcohol. By attaining a Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate you will know how to serve and sell alcohol in a responsible way.In NSW the liquor laws requires anyone who is involved in the retail sale, supply or service of liquor in licensed venues (this includes promotional staff, club directors, and volunteers serving liquor under a function license, and security officers working at licensed venues) to complete an RSA course.
Outline of RSA Training Course
When you go to an RSA training course you can expect to learn about the following things:-• Alcohol and the law
• Standard drinks
• Drink driving issues
• Your legal responsibilities
• Recognising intoxication
• Dealing with problem patrons
• Strategies for responsible service
Here is a more in-depth look at what you will learn and the outcomes you could expect:-
Learning outcome 1
Identify the context of responsible service of alcoholThis outcome identifies the context in which responsible service of alcohol is to be managed.
Assessment criteria
Students should be able to identify:-• government and community concerns associated with alcohol abuse and misuse, particularly in relation to crime, violence and anti-social behaviour occurring as a result of excessive drinking, and the effects on the neighbourhoods of licensed venues
• the impact of alcohol abuse/misuse on the community, and
• the role of key agencies in regulating and enforcing the liquor laws, such as the OLGR, the Licensing Court of NSW, the Casino, Liquor, Gaming Control Authority which has replaced theLiquor Administration Board from 1 July 2008, NSW Police Force, the Director of Liquor and Gaming and other government agencies involved in preventing alcohol abuse, such as NSW Health and the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA).
Learning outcome 2
Identify the legislative framework for the responsible service of alcoholThis outcome identifies legislative measures and public interest issues. Course material for this learning outcome is available for downloading from our website www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/liquor_rsa_which_courses.asp
Assessment criteria
Students should be able to identify:-• relevant legislative provisions including:-
i. harm minimisation and public interest provisions of the liquor laws
ii. intoxication provisions
iii. minors and evidence of age provisions, and
iv. statutory and other signage.
• responsible liquor practices and promotions
• types of patron behaviour - quarrelsome/violent/disorderly behaviour, intoxication
• the importance of patron education campaigns such as “No more. It’s the Law”, and
• the concept of duty of care for patrons and staff.
Learning outcome 3
Identify the impact of alcohol abuseThis outcome addresses the impact of alcohol, and includes safe levels of drinking, standard drinks and the impact of alcohol consumption (short and long term).
Assessment criteria
Students should be able to identify the impact of alcohol on target groups - such as young adult males, women, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, people from a non-English speaking background and minors. Students should also be able to identify the positive and negative impacts of alcohol on:-• the premises/staff
• neighbourhood/community
• patrons, and
• government agencies such as NSW police, NSW Health and the RTA.
Learning outcome 4
Implementing RSA strategiesThis outcome identifies those strategies used to reduce the harm associated with liquor abuse. Course material for this learning outcome is available for downloading from our website www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/liquor_rsa_which_courses.asp
Assessment criteria
Students should be able to describe:-• indicators of intoxication
• strategies for preventing intoxication
• strategies for preventing underage drinking, and second party sales (including evidence of age)
• ways to develop and implement house policies
• the importance of industry codes of responsible alcohol practices
• safe transport options
• alternatives to full strength liquor
• environmental factors (lighting, patron capacity, demographics, premises safety, quality of food and entertainment)
• how to undertake a self-audit of responsible service practices
• the role of security staff, and
• the value of using breathalyser devices.
Learning outcome 5
Measuring the outcomes of RSAThis outcome measures the benefits of implementing responsible service of alcohol strategies.
Assessment criteria
Students should be able to describe the outcomes of responsible service practices, including:• improved patronage
• increased profits
• safer premises
• reduced police presence and enforcement
• less government intervention (police, liquor authorities and local councils)
• satisfied staff and patrons
• reduced community complaints about the operation of premises
• improved image of premises/liquor industry, and
• reduced operational costs (security, legal, repairs).
Interstate Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificates and their relevance in NSW
If you have obtained an RSA Certificate from another state, you will be required to take a bridging course to ensure your skill set is up to the NSW Liquor Laws standard.The new authority replacing The Liquor Administration Board of NSW recognises that there are some common elements to RSA training throughout the states and territories of Australia however there are fundamentals of the NSW Liquor Laws that differ. Workers in NSW will need to ensure they’re familiar with these differences by taking the above-mentioned bridging course.