Introduction
To work in a place that serves alcohol or provides gambling services, you need to undertake training in Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and/or Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG).
Use the Liquor & Gaming NSW website to find an approved training provider. When you've completed your training, you'll get an RSA and/or RCG interim certificate. You can then apply for your RSA/RCG competency card.
You must submit your own application in person – other people cannot apply for you.
The cost of the competency card is included in the course fee you pay for RSA or RCG training.
Note: If you hold a current interstate RSA certification you may be able to work temporarily in NSW. For information or to see if you're eligible visit Liquor & Gaming NSW RSA Bridging Course.
Licensee and advanced courses
Licensee and Advanced Licensee courses are mandatory for most licensees, approved managers and club secretaries, as you have greater responsibilities and obligations.
Advanced Responsible Conduct of Gambling (ARCG) training is mandatory for:
- Responsible Gambling Officers
- club secretaries
- club directors (unless they have completed ClubsNSW Responsible Gambling Board Oversight training)
- directors of a company that owns one or more hotels (where those directors have an operational role in the hotel business)
- hotel licensees
- hotel ‘approved managers’ (as defined in section 91(1A) of the Liquor Act 2007)
- staff who are responsible for the management of gaming machine operations (if they are separate to and not undertaking RGO duties), for example gaming floor managers.
Note: you must have done RCG training before doing ARCG training.
Eligibility
You must have:
- successfully completed an approved NSW RSA or RCG training course with an approved training provider
- received an RSA or RCG interim certificate
- not previously applied for a competency card.
What you need
- your RSA or RCG interim certificate, issued by an approved NSW training provider within the last 5 years
- your 100 points of ID documents – see the back of the interim certificate for acceptable document types
- your personal details on your course completion certificate must match your ID – any minor discrepancies like spelling errors or typos can be amended at Service NSW.
If you've changed your name from what is shown on your identity documents, you'll also need to provide proof of your name change, such as:
- Australian marriage certificate (Registry issued)
- overseas marriage certificate (with official translation)
- change of name certificate (Registry issued)
- proof of divorce (Family Court).
How to apply
- Complete your RSA or RCG training with an approved training provider.
- Get your RSA or RCG interim certificate from your training provider. If you have both, you only need to bring one to the Service NSW Centre.
- Gather your original identity documents.
- Visit a service centre to have your photo taken and submit your application.
Note: Your competency card will be mailed to you within 5 weeks of submitting your application.
Access a digital card
Once you have applied for your competency card, you can access it digitally through the Service NSW app. To add your digital card to the app, you'll need:
- a MyServiceNSW Account and the latest version of the Service NSW app
- your email address to be the same for both your competency card and your MyServiceNSW Account.
Add your card to the Service NSW app:
- Log in to the Service NSW app.
- Select 'Wallet' from the homescreen and then the 'Add' button.
- Select RSA/RCG Competency Card
- Follow the prompts to add your card.
More information
- You can be fined for working with an expired interim certificate or an expired competency card.
- If you already have either an RSA or RCG competency card and you complete the additional competency, you will automatically be mailed an updated card with both competencies.
- When you get your photo taken at a service centre, follow these photo guidelines to make sure the result is acceptable.