RSA, RCG, Advanced RCG, Licensee Training & Bar Basics

What these courses are, and who needs them

CBD College runs a family of one-day NSW hospitality and gaming courses. Each builds on the previous one, so it's worth understanding how they relate:

• RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) — SITHFAB021. Required by anyone who sells, serves or supplies alcohol in NSW. This is the foundation course — nationally recognised, and the one most people need first.
• RCG (Responsible Conduct of Gambling) — SITHGAM022. Required to work in or near gaming machines in NSW venues (pubs, clubs, TABs). Nationally recognised, and independent of RSA — but most NSW venues with gaming prefer staff to hold both, so they're commonly booked together.
• Advanced RCG (ARCG). The next step after RCG, for gaming managers and Responsible Gambling Officers who oversee gaming-floor compliance. You need a current RCG to enrol. ARCG is a Liquor & Gaming NSW–approved course, not a nationally recognised VET unit — you receive a course completion certificate that can be added to your NSW Competency Card.
• Licensee Training (LT). Required to hold a NSW liquor licence, or to be an approved manager or club secretary of a licensed venue. You need a current RSA to enrol, and completing LT also renews your RSA competency at the same time. Like ARCG, it's a Liquor & Gaming NSW–approved course, not a nationally recognised VET unit.
• Advanced Licensee Training (ALT). The next step after Licensee Training, for managers of higher-risk or larger licensed venues. You need to have completed LT and hold a current RSA to enrol. Also a Liquor & Gaming NSW–approved course, not a nationally recognised VET unit.
• Bar Basics. A hands-on, 3-hour bartending short course — cocktails, beer, wine, champagne, garnishes and service. No prerequisites, no accreditation — it's a practical skills course for anyone over 18, not a VET qualification.

Entry requirements & what to bring

RSA and RCG: no prior knowledge, hospitality experience or qualifications are required — the course covers everything from scratch, including NSW liquor/gaming laws and responsible-service or responsible-gambling techniques. There's no age limit to attend the course itself, but note you can't work in a licensed venue until you're 18. Student visa and working-holiday visa holders are welcome.

You'll need good spoken and written English: excellent spoken English for the in-class role plays (de-escalating conflict with intoxicated customers, explaining RSA/RCG rules clearly), and excellent written English for the in-class written assessment and for reading course notes, policy documents and training materials.

What to bring: one form of original photo ID (passport, Australian driver's licence, or NSW Proof of Age Card) — this covers both "what do I bring" and "should I bring my ID," which are really the same question. Bring writing materials if you'd like to take notes. Dress neatly and comfortably. Classes start promptly, so don't be late.

ARCG: requires a current SITHGAM022 RCG competency.

Licensee Training (LT): requires a current SITHFAB021 RSA competency.

Advanced Licensee Training (ALT): requires completed LT and a current RSA.

Bar Basics: no experience needed — designed for complete beginners. You must be over 18 and bring photo ID.

Course structure & duration

All six courses run as a single classroom day, with no online pre-work required.

Newcastle RSA class hours: the confirmed, correct hours for Newcastle RSA classes are 9:15am–3:45pm — not 8:45am–3:15pm (which is the Sydney schedule). If you're booking Newcastle, expect the later start and finish time.

RCG's extra step: after your classroom RCG course, Liquor & Gaming NSW requires you to complete a separate 25-question online assessment (details are emailed/texted to you straight after class) before you can apply for your competency card at Service NSW.

If you don't achieve competency on the day, you'll need to rebook and attempt the course again — there's no partial credit for a single sitting.

Delivery modes & locations

RSA is delivered face-to-face at two centres:

RCG, ARCG, Licensee Training, Advanced Licensee Training and Bar Basics are currently delivered at the Sydney centre only (Level 5, 8 Quay Street, Prince Centre, Haymarket NSW 2000).

Why are these courses only available in Sydney (or Sydney/Newcastle for RSA)? RSA is delivered in Sydney and Newcastle only. RCG, ARCG, Licensee Training, Advanced Licensee Training and Bar Basics are Sydney only. This is because these courses are regulated jointly by ASQA and Liquor & Gaming NSW (provider #CCR10000169), unlike First Aid & CPR, which runs nationally.

RSA and RCG training completed interstate is not recognised in NSW — you must train with an NSW-approved provider such as CBD College to work in licensed or gaming roles in New South Wales. Once issued, your NSW RSA is recognised in every other state and territory (Victoria requires a free online bridging course on top of your NSW RSA).

Fees & payment

Package deals (Sydney):

• RSA + RCG — $329 (was $348, save $20)
• RSA + RCG + Barista — $499 (best value across hospitality, coffee and gaming)
• RSA + Barista — $359 (save $40, includes the SITXFSA005 food-safety unit at no extra cost)

RSA + Barista packages are also available in Newcastle. See the Barista course article for details on the barista component. Your RSA/RCG competency photo card is included in the course price — there's no separate card fee.

For group or workplace training, call 1300 723 056.

Switching & cancellation

We can't offer refunds for no-shows or cancellations after booking. If you need to change your class date, a switching fee always applies — this is not free, even if you switch more than 48 hours before your class. The fee is higher if you switch within 48 hours of your class. Manage your switch through the Student Portal's Switch function.

Price match

Price match does not apply to RSA, RCG, ARCG, Licensee Training, Advanced Licensee Training or Bar Basics. CBD College's price match offer is limited to First Aid, CPR and Childcare First Aid courses only.

Certificates & USI

RSA and RCG are nationally recognised units of competency. On the day, you'll receive a Liquor & Gaming NSW interim certificate by email (so you can start work that night), plus your nationally recognised Statement of Attainment (SITHFAB021 for RSA, SITHGAM022 for RCG). Liquor & Gaming NSW then mails your plastic wallet-size competency photo card. A USI (Unique Student Identifier) is not required to book — you can leave it blank — but it is required before your certificate can be issued; it's free to create at usi.gov.au. Make sure your USI name and date of birth match your student profile exactly, to avoid delays.

ARCG, Licensee Training and Advanced Licensee Training are Liquor & Gaming NSW–approved courses, not nationally recognised VET units — no USI is needed for these. You receive a course completion certificate on the day, and the relevant endorsement (ARCG/LT/ALT) is added to your NSW Competency Card.

Bar Basics is a hands-on short course, not a VET unit — you receive a Bar Basics certificate of completion and a free eBook (Mastering the Fundamentals of Mixology & Bartending). No USI is needed.

Problems with your physical RSA/RCG card? Liquor & Gaming NSW issues and mails the card, not CBD College — for any card issues (not received, lost, damaged), contact Service NSW directly:

• Address: McKell Building, Ground Floor, 2/24 Rawson Place, Haymarket NSW 2000
• Phone: 13 77 88
• Hours: 8:30am–5pm

RSA/RCG card validity and renewal: your RSA/RCG competency card is valid for 5 years from the date you first passed. If your card is current, or has been expired for 28 days or less, you can renew it online — complete a refresher training module and pay a $50 renewal fee before it expires (Liquor & Gaming NSW will notify you by email/SMS as your renewal approaches). If your card has been expired for more than 28 days, you'll need to retake the full face-to-face course to re-certify.

On-the-day requirements

• Bring one original photo ID (passport, Australian driver's licence, or NSW Proof of Age Card).
• Bring writing materials if you'd like to take notes.
• Dress neatly and comfortably; arrive on time.
• For RCG, remember there's a follow-up 25-question online assessment after class, required before you can collect your competency card.
• For Licensee Training, remember you need 100% on the written component, with two chances to resubmit if needed.
• For Bar Basics, you must be over 18.

CBD College is a Liquor & Gaming NSW–approved training provider (#CCR10000169, RTO 91399) and has trained over 200,000 students. Reviews cited on RSA location pages should reflect CBD College's sitewide total of 30,000+ Google reviews, rather than the earlier "23,800" figure.