Online RSA Course in Victoria: A Convenient Route to Compliance
Victoria’s alcohol laws require anyone involved in selling or supplying alcohol to complete a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course. This includes bartenders, waitstaff, bottle shop employees and even volunteers at licensed events. If you are working in the hospitality industry or planning to enter it, enrolling in an online RSA course in Victoria is essential.
In this guide, we will break down what an RSA Certificate is, who needs it and how you can complete your training 100% online with Food Safety First – quickly, affordably and at your own pace.
Why Is RSA Training Required in Victoria?
RSA training is a legal requirement in Victoria and is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to handle any alcohol service scenario, including:
- Identifying and managing intoxicated patrons
- Refusing service when necessary
- Understanding the health and social risks of alcohol misuse
- Following the legal requirements under Victoria's liquor legislation
Completing an online RSA course in Victoria ensures that you are legally compliant and capable of creating a safe, respectful environment for patrons and staff alike.
Who Needs an RSA Certificate?
If your role involves supplying, selling, serving alcohol in any licensed venue across Victoria, RSA certification is mandatory. Common roles include:
- Hospitality staff (bartenders, waiters, club staff)
- Retail workers in licensed premises (e.g. bottle shops)
- Event staff at licensed functions
- Security personnel
- Supervisors and managers in licensed businesses
Even if you are not yet employed, many employers prefer candidates who already hold a valid RSA Certificate. Completing an online RSA course in Victoria ahead of your job search gives you a competitive edge.
How to Get Your RSA Certificate in 4 Simple Steps
Food Safety First offers a fully accredited and flexible RSA training program that meets Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) standards. Here’s how the process works:
1. Enrol with Food Safety First
You can enrol online and begin learning immediately. The course aligns with the unit of competency SITHFAB021: Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol.
2. Complete Your Lessons Online
The online training is flexible and user-friendly, featuring 16 interactive lessons written in clear, easy-to-understand language. It is ideal for learners of all backgrounds, including those with English as an additional language.
Lesson 1 - The social impacts of alcohol and RSA responsibilities.
Lesson 2 - The impacts of alcohol on the body.
Lesson 3 - Blood alcohol concentration and the factors that affect it.
Lesson 4 - Calculating and serving standard drinks.
Lesson 5 - The signs of intoxication.
Lesson 6 - The duty of care concepts and principles of harm minimisation.
Lesson 7 - Myths that exist around sobering up.
Lesson 8 - The laws related to alcohol in Australia.
Lesson 9 - The agencies that exist to enforce alcohol laws.
Lesson 10 - Acceptable and unacceptable IDs.
Lesson 11 - The steps to take when checking IDs and verifying age.
Lesson 12 - The correct procedures for verifying IDs.
Lesson 13 - When to stop service to intoxicated customers.
Lesson 14 - The techniques and practices for stopping service.
Lesson 15 - How to get your customer home safely and transport options.
Lesson 16 - Organisational policies and procedures relevant to the responsible service of alcohol.
3. Pass the Required Assessments
To receive your RSA Statement of Attainment, you must complete:
- Short quizzes after each lesson
- Case study responses
- A reading-based comprehension activity
- A final exam (20 multiple-choice questions, pass mark: 100%)
- A video-based Practical Assessment, where you demonstrate how to serve alcohol responsibly in various scenarios
To obtain your LCV RSA Certificate Completion you are required to complete an additional learning module through the LCV Learning Hub - Sexual Harassment and Assault: Recognise, Prevent and Respond (SHARPR).
4. Receive Your LCV Certificate of Completion
Once you’ve passed all the components, Food Safety First will issue your RSA Statement of Attainment. After that, you'll receive an email from Liquor Control Victoria providing you with instructions for completing the SHARPR training module on the LCV Learning Hub.
Once completed, you will be issued with your official Liquor Control Victoria Certificate of Completion - the recognised RSA Certificate for working in Victoria’s licensed venues.
Are online RSA courses valid in Victoria?
Yes, after completing Food Safety First’s RSA course, your RSA Certificate is valid for three years from the date of issue. To stay compliant, you must complete an RSA refresher course through LCV before your current certificate expires.
What Makes Victoria’s RSA Course Unique?
Victoria RSA training includes specific components not always required in other states:
- A mandatory final exam
- A video-based Practical Assessment (rather than a written Observer Report)
- A state-issued certificate from Liquor Control Victoria
Why Choose Food Safety First?
Food Safety First is a trusted name in hospitality and food safety education and training. When you choose us for your online RSA course in Victoria, you benefit from:
- LCV-approved training
- Easy, self-paced online access
- Qualified training support
- Digital certificate delivery
Whether you are new to the industry or returning after a break, we make the process stress-free and efficient.
An RSA Certificate doesn’t just keep you compliant - it opens doors to new job opportunities across Victoria’s hospitality sector. With Food Safety First, getting certified is as simple as logging in and starting your online RSA course from anywhere.
Enrol now, or get in touch to learn more about RSA training in Victoria.