Thursday, December 13, 2012

RSA Online: Important Information For Aspiring Suppliers And Servers Of Alcohol

The hospitality industry is a fun and exciting field that also provides numerous opportunities for employment. However, just like with any job, there are certain obligations that workers in this industry must uphold, and one of the most important is the responsible distribution and serving of alcohol-containing beverages. Each country has its own rules with regard to alcohol service, workers in this field of business must acquire a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certification from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) duly approved and accredited by the authorities.

For those who are thinking of acquiring an RSA certificate, there are basically three ways to get the necessary training: the first is by face-to-face instruction with accredited training institutions; the second is by correspondence through Open training and Education Network (OTEN); and the last is through online courses. RSA Online is a popular alternative because it is convenient for most workers and it may be less costly than face-to-face training. For individuals who are planning on taking an RSA course online, here are a few important points that you must know first:

Individuals required to have RSA certification. As mentioned earlier, everyone who wishes to work in the hospitality industry, particularly those is establishments licensed to distribute alcohol, must acquire an RSA certificate. Besides the servers and waiting staff, this group also includes managers; staff involved in the sale of alcohol, such as promotional staff; club directors and volunteers with liquor service responsibilities; and security officers who are responsible for controlling crowds.

Coverage of the course. The online course covers the following topics: laws and regulations concerning alcohol consumption and distribution, responsible preparation and service of drinks, the server/supplier's responsibilities, how to recognise alcohol intoxication, and also how to refuse alcohol service.

States and territories that accept RSA certification from an online course. Currently, Queensland, West Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia are the only states in Australia that accept RSA certification obtained through online courses. New South Wales previously did not accept certification from online courses; however, the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) in NSW has recently started a one-year trial of online RSA courses. As such, RSA Sydney training organisations can provide online certification training granted they are approved by the state. Authorities in Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory do accept certifications acquired online; however, trainees must check first whether their course provider has been approved by these states' governing bodies. Victoria authorities do not accept RSA certifications from online courses, and as such, RSA in Melbourne schools can only offer face-to-face training.

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