Food Safety First is excited to announce the rollout of its Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course in South Australia (SA) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), in addition to the existing programs available in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
This program expansion further demonstrates our commitment to enhancing the safe and responsible service of alcohol across the country.
RSA training is a legal requirement for anyone involved in serving, selling or supervising the consumption of alcohol. Read on to discover how Food Safety First is simplifying compliance with alcohol service laws in SA and the ACT by delivering this government-approved RSA course.
Why is RSA Training Important?
According to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), alcohol-related incidents result in approximately 30,000 hospital admissions and 1,950 deaths each year in Australia. These statistics highlight the severe impact that alcohol consumption can have on individuals, families and the healthcare system.
Although the circumstances that lead to these hospitalisations and deaths are wide ranging, they are all linked to the consumption of alcohol. As well as short-term impacts such as injuries resulting from alcohol-related incidents, overconsumption can result in long-term health conditions such as liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer.
The serious consequences outlined above illustrate just how important it is for effective public health policies and interventions to be put in place to manage alcohol consumption and minimise its associated risks.
Besides being a regulatory requirement, RSA training also plays a critical role in reducing alcohol-related incidents in the community by teaching staff how to serve alcohol responsibly. By understanding the effects of alcohol and adopting strategies to manage and minimise its impacts, employees are better equipped to contribute to a safer, more enjoyable drinking environment for everyone.
What Does the RSA Course Include?
The RSA course aims to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of their legal responsibilities regarding the safe and responsible service of alcohol, as well as effective strategies for reducing harm. This training is vital for ensuring that those working in the hospitality industry are informed and prepared to manage alcohol service in a way that prioritises safety and compliance with Australian laws.
The course content is extensive, covering a variety of essential alcohol service topics, including the social impacts of alcohol, effects of alcohol on the body, harm reduction strategies, legal requirements and best practices for serving alcohol responsibly.
Participants are required to take part in 16 lessons, two case studies and a reading activity. To successfully complete the course, they must also undergo either an Observer Report or Video Assessment.
Lessons
- The social impacts of alcohol and RSA responsibilities.
- The impacts of alcohol on the body.
- Blood alcohol concentration and the factors that affect it.
- Calculating and serving standard drinks.
- The signs of intoxication.
- The duty of care concepts and principles of harm minimisation.
- Myths that exist around sobering up.
- The laws related to alcohol in Australia.
- The agencies that exist to enforce alcohol laws.
- Acceptable and unacceptable IDs.
- The steps to take when checking IDs and verifying age.
- The correct procedures for verifying IDs.
- When to stop service to intoxicated customers.
- The techniques and practices for stopping service.
- How to get your customer home safely and transport options.
- Organisational policies and procedures relevant to the responsible service of alcohol.
Unit of Competency: SITHFAB021
This RSA course incorporates the SITHFAB021 unit of competency, which is listed in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and recognised across the country as part of the vocational education and training (VET) system. It provides essential knowledge and skills for the legal and responsible service of alcohol.
SITHFAB021 covers all the key aspects of alcohol service, including:
- Understanding the impacts of alcohol: Societal and individual implications of alcohol consumption.
- Age verification: Techniques for checking IDs and confirming a person’s age.
- Identifying intoxication: Strategies for identifying intoxication and dealing with such situations.
- Standard drinks and alcohol percentages: Overview of what counts as a standard drink and how alcohol percentages work.
- Service refusal: Skills for refusing service in a responsible and legally compliant manner.
Assessment
The course's assessment framework is designed to ensure participants have a thorough understanding of the material and can effectively apply this knowledge in real-world environments.
This process includes multiple-choice quizzes at the end of each lesson, detailed case studies, a reading activity and a practical assessment performed through a Virtual Video Assessment or an Observer Report.
Quizzes
After each lesson, participants must pass a multiple-choice quiz to move on to the next section. They have five attempts to achieve a score of 100 percent. If needed, a quiz reset can be requested from Customer Support.
Case Studies
The course also features two case studies. Participants are required to read each one thoroughly before answering multiple-choice questions based on the scenarios provided.
Reading Activity
After completing all the lessons and case studies, students are required to take part in a reading activity that covers in-house policies and procedures. They must carefully review the content before answering a set of multiple-choice questions.
Observer Report or Virtual Video Assessment
To meet government standards for Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training, students are required to show that they can perform certain practical tasks correctly. There are two options to choose from when doing this.
1. Observer Report
Students can nominate an Observer to verify the performance of practical tasks through the submission of a skill assessment report.
2. Virtual Video Assessment
Students can choose to record a Virtual Video Assessment on any mobile device, laptop or desktop computer equipped with a webcam and microphone. Videos are recorded and submitted using an interactive tool provided by Food Safety First.
Certification
Successful completion of the assessments outlined above will result in the award of a Statement of Attainment, confirming that the individual has met the RSA training requirements mandated by the Australian government.
Flexible Training
Food Safety First’s RSA course is offered online, with no classroom-based activities required, allowing participants to begin immediately after enrollment and complete the course at their own pace from any location, making it ideal for those with demanding schedules or who prefer a more flexible learning approach.
The course only takes around 3-4 hours to complete but students are given up to 12 months to finish it.
RSA Training in SA and the ACT
The introduction of Food Safety First’s RSA course and SA and the ACT is a significant step forward for the hospitality industry in these areas, offering workers the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and skills essential for promoting health and safety in alcohol service.
With this course now recognised in most Australian states and territories, Food Safety First continues to lead the way in providing high-quality, affordable training that meets the needs of individuals and businesses alike.
RSA training is essential for individuals who serve or oversee alcohol service in a commercial environment. By enrolling at Food Safety First, alcohol servers can help promote responsible drinking and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
Need more info about the course? Contact us and discover all the benefits our RSA training has to offer.