Campus locations: Sydney

Unit Description

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to responsibly sell, serve or supply alcohol. It applies to personnel involved in the sale, service, promotional service, delivery or supply of alcohol in licensed premises, including hospitality venues, packaged liquor outlets, wineries, breweries and distilleries. Responsible service of alcohol requirements must be applied wherever alcohol is sold, served or supplied.

What You Will Learn

This unit provides learners with the knowledge and practical skills required to sell, serve or supply alcohol responsibly and in accordance with relevant liquor laws, licensing requirements and organisational or house policies. Participants will develop an understanding of:

• The purpose and benefits of Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA), harm minimisation and reducing alcohol-related harm to customers, workplaces and the wider community
• Relevant NSW liquor laws, licensing requirements, regulatory agencies, codes, signage and organisational or house policies
• Proof-of-age requirements, acceptable identification and responsibilities relating to minors and secondary supply
• Standard drinks, alcoholic strength, responsible service measures and factors that can affect an individual’s response to alcohol
• Methods for assessing intoxication, including changes in behaviour, emotional and physical state, drink purchases and erratic drinking patterns
• Early intervention strategies to prevent intoxication, including offering food, water and non-alcoholic alternatives and encouraging customers to slow their drinking
• Customers to whom alcohol must be refused under legislation or house policy, including intoxicated persons and situations involving minors
• Professional refusal-of-service procedures, including clearly stating the reason for refusal, referring to signage where appropriate and offering assistance
• Communication and conflict-resolution techniques for compliant, difficult or potentially unsafe customers, including when to seek assistance from supervisors or colleagues
• The effects of excessive alcohol consumption on individuals, families, workplaces, licensed premises, communities and government services
• Principles of responsible remote sale and delivery of packaged liquor, including age verification, delivery instructions and responsibilities when liquor cannot be safely delivered

Entry Requirements

This single-unit enrolment is open to both international and domestic students aged 18 years and over.

There are no formal prerequisite units for SITHFAB021. College enrolment, identification and NSW certification requirements still apply.

Applicants are required to provide evidence that they meet the academic and English language entry requirements for this unit.

In line with the 2025 Standards for Registered Training Organisations, prospective students are required to have their language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills reviewed before enrolment. This process helps the College determine whether the unit is suitable for the student and whether any additional support may be required.

Where support needs are identified, the College may provide reasonable assistance or learning support to help students meet the requirements of the unit.

Applicants who have successfully completed an AQF qualification at Certificate III level or above, delivered and assessed in English, may be deemed to meet the academic and English language entry requirements.

Students completing RSA training for work in NSW must also meet any identification and certification requirements set by Liquor & Gaming NSW and Service NSW.

Assessment and Delivery Structure

SITHFAB021 Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol is delivered through structured learning activities and formal assessment that address the national unit requirements and the applicable NSW Responsible Service of Alcohol requirements.

The delivery format may include face-to-face, virtual or online learning components where these are permitted under the College’s approved delivery arrangements. Students must complete all required learning and assessment activities before a competency outcome can be awarded.

Learning Content

Students complete learning activities covering RSA principles, harm minimisation, NSW liquor requirements, proof of age, standard drinks, intoxication, responsible service strategies, refusal of service, conflict resolution, responsible delivery of packaged liquor and the consequences of non-compliance.

Assessment Task 1 – Knowledge Questions

Students complete a formal knowledge assessment and are required to answer all questions correctly. The assessment covers the purpose and benefits of RSA, intoxication indicators, customers to whom service must be refused, alcohol-related harms, legislation and regulatory sources, harm minimisation, liquor-law requirements, standard drinks, factors affecting responses to alcohol, refusal-of-service communication, assistance to customers and responsible delivery of packaged liquor.

Assessment Task 2 – Role Plays

Students take part in a series of assessor-observed role plays that require them to apply RSA requirements in realistic customer-service situations. The practical assessment includes checking proof of age, providing accurate beverage information, identifying early indicators of intoxication, monitoring customers, applying intervention strategies, refusing service, offering appropriate assistance and using professional communication and conflict-resolution skills.

Role-play scenarios also require students to respond appropriately to customers who may be in emotional or physical distress, have consumed alcohol for an extended period without food, appear to be affected by illicit or other drugs, or become difficult when asked to leave the premises. Students must know when a situation is beyond their responsibility and when to seek assistance from a supervisor or other appropriate staff.

Assessment Resources

For assessment, students are required to use or access relevant RSA policies and procedures, legislatively compliant signage, current information or fact sheets from the relevant liquor regulator, and organisational or house policies for the responsible sale, service or supply of alcohol.

NSW RSA Requirements

 

Resource Requirements

Students undertaking online or virtual learning components are required to have access to a laptop or desktop computer, a reliable internet connection and suitable audio and video capability where required.

Students will receive access to the College’s learning platform and course resources. For practical assessment, students also require access to the relevant RSA policy and procedures, regulatory information, compliant signage and other assessment resources specified by the assessor.

Exit Point / Award

Students who successfully complete all assessment requirements for SITHFAB021 Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol will be issued with a Statement of Attainment by Mercury Colleges, subject to the unit being delivered within the College’s approved scope and applicable regulatory arrangements.

This is nationally recognised training.

For NSW RSA purposes, successful students must also complete the applicable Liquor & Gaming NSW and Service NSW certification process. Where training is delivered under approved NSW RSA arrangements, eligible students receive the documentation required to progress to the NSW RSA competency card process.