Doing the RSA & RSG/RCG together can save you a lot of money, but do you need to do the RSG at the same time or even at all?
If you read what most online training websites say you would be led to believe that everybody who does an RSA online also needs to do an RSG course. In this article we will uncover the facts and what it means in practice, so that you can decide for yourself without the sales pitch.
Do you need it by law?
Do you need it to get a job?
For this website I asked a former licensee who has owned many hotels and pubs in Australia, if he thought it was necessary:
“I wouldn’t hire anyone unless they had RSA, RSG and Food Hygiene as I need flexibility with my staff. It is no good if you need to give someone a break in the gaming room and your staff member only had RSA. Same goes with a barmaid and you want to put them on the bistro delivering food to tables they need to have completed food handing training.” – Licensee
This makes complete sense to me. Most pub and hotel owners are running businesses where staff flexibility is very important. If you want to get a job in a bar or a hotel it might be a very good idea.
HOWEVER:
– Many venues that serve alcohol do NOT require RSG training
– Different States have different RSG requirements (for example WA does not require an RSG qualification at all)
But,
– Many online trainers offer big discounts for doing an RSA & RSG courses at the same time.
In this post, I will uncover what you need to know so you can decide if it’s a good idea for you to do RSG training along with your RSA training.
The Basics
The RSG is the Responsible Service of Gambling certificate. As you may be aware this course is also often required for many jobs in bars, hotel’s and clubs (like RSLs and SLSCs) where there are slot machines. By law, “staff who will have gaming machine related functions” as they say in NSW need to have done the RSG training. In practice however, to get hired for a job where you will be working “on the floor” or “front of house” you will still need it because you will be working in and around the slot machines.
Australia has over 200,000 slot machines, which means that for every 100 Australians there is one slot machine.
Basically almost every bar and club in Australia has them, which means if the State where you want to work requires an RSG certificate, then it could be worth doing you RSA and RSG and even a Hygiene certificate at the same time.
On the other hand, most restaurants or most bottle shops do not have slot machines so if your main goal is to simply get a service job in hospitality, then just having RSA on your resume may be all that you need. (You might not get the discount but then again you may not need it.)
Which States Require It By Law And Can Your RSG Be Done Online?
QLD – Required by Law – Online
NSW – Required by Law – Classroom Only
VIC – Required by Law – Online
TAS – Required by Law – Classroom
SA – Required by Law – Online
NT – Required by Law – Online
WA – Not required
*Note: It is called a RCG in NSW as opposed to RSG
When Can You Do The RSA (by Law)?
In NSW you cannot start work in a gaming venue unless you have a RCG interim certificate or your competency card. In Queensland since 1 October 2010, all new gaming employees have three months from the date of starting employment to obtain their approved RSG course certificate. In Victoria you can work for up to 3 months before you need to have your RSG certificate.
This is the law, HOWEVER in practice most venue operators won’t let you start until you have completed the RSG training and you may not get an interview if you do not have it.
Which Jobs Require It? – The Venue is the Key
There are many jobs that do require a RSG (Responsible Service of Gambling) certificate BUT also many jobs that DO NOT require it. It all depends on the establishment. For example, if your plan is to work in a pub, hotel or a club like an RSL or SLSC you will most likely need it. On the other hand restaurants do not have slot machine and therefore do not require it.
Bottom Line
If you are applying to bars, hotels or to clubs that are likely to have poker machines, it is probably a very good idea to get your RSA & RSG at the same time. You can save yourself some money, put it on your resume and be confident that your training meets the minimum practical requirements for gaining employment. At the very least, even if you don’t end up getting a job where you are required to have it, it shows to employers that you are serious about the industry. Also worth remembering that any training like this will give you a tax deduction at the end of the financial year (so keep your receipts.)
If you need an RSG with your RSA click these states to get a discount – QLD, WA, NT and SA Unfortunately RCG for NSW is not currently offered online.
If you are planning to only work in jobs where you are sure that there are NO slot machines – like restaurants, then there is no need to do the RSG certificate.
I trust you found this useful, please leave your comments below or share this page with a mate that is looking for hospitality work.
Image courtesy of 89studio / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Thankyou it was very helpful im looking into getting a job that needs rsa /rsg certificates
Cheers mate, very useful stuff