Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Intoxication offence

It is an offence to sell or supply alcohol to a person who is intoxicated; the server, supervisor and licensee can each be liable.

Minor supply offence

Selling or supplying alcohol to a person under 18 is an offence; penalties apply to the server and the licensed venue.

Trading hours

Alcohol may only be sold or supplied during the hours stated on the licence or permit; sales outside those hours are unlawful.

Authorised officer powers

Police and liquor inspectors may enter licensed premises, inspect records and require proof of age from customers.

RSA certificate validity

An RSA certificate is valid for a fixed period set by the regulator and must be renewed or refreshed before it expires.

Licence display

The licence or permit must be displayed where required and kept available for inspection by authorised officers during trading.

Approved manager

A licensee must ensure an approved manager is present or contactable as the licence requires; absence can breach conditions.

Penalty escalation

Repeat offences, supply to minors and supply to intoxicated persons attract heavier penalties, including licence suspension or cancellation.

Observable signs

Intoxication is assessed from speech, balance, coordination, behaviour and appearance, not from estimated blood alcohol levels.

Physical indicators

Slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, staggering, fumbling with money and spilled drinks are common physical signs of intoxication.

Behavioural indicators

Loud or aggressive talk, mood swings, drowsiness, over-familiarity and confusion are behavioural signs that support a refusal.

Two-indicator rule

Two or more reliable signs across different categories (speech, balance, behaviour) support a decision to stop service.

Absorption factors

Food intake, body weight, hydration, medication and fatigue affect how quickly a person becomes intoxicated.

Progressive monitoring

Reassess the customer after each drink; worsening signs confirm that service should stop for the rest of the visit.

Single-sign caution

Do not rely on one sign; disability, illness or injury can mimic intoxication and lead to an unfair refusal.

Calm refusal script

State briefly that service is stopping, give the reason (intoxication or age), and avoid arguing or negotiating with the customer.

Face-saving exit

Offer water, food, a taxi or a call to a friend so the refused customer can leave without losing face.

Escalation response

If a customer becomes aggressive, step back, keep a barrier, and call the manager, security or police.

No physical restraint

Staff should not physically restrain or remove customers unless trained and authorised; physical intervention creates legal risk.

Refusal record

Log the time, description, reason, action taken and witnesses after a refusal to protect staff and the venue.

Consistent enforcement

Notify other staff and the duty manager immediately so the refused customer is not served by another server.

Acceptable ID

A current photo driver licence, passport or government proof-of-age card is acceptable; expired or damaged documents are not.

Challenge 25 rule

If a customer looks under 25, ask for proof of age before serving any alcohol.

ID verification steps

Check the photo matches the person, the date of birth shows 18 or over, and the document is genuine and unaltered.

False ID offence

Presenting false ID is an offence; retain the document only if authorised by law and report the incident.

Secondary supply

Adults must not buy alcohol for minors; both the buyer and the server can be liable for the supply.

Free water and food

Providing free drinking water and food slows alcohol absorption and reduces harm on licensed premises.

Harmful promotions

All-you-can-drink offers and drinking games encourage rapid or excessive drinking and should not be used.

Transport options

Display taxi numbers, keep a phone available and support designated-driver arrangements to help customers get home safely.

Venue layout safety

Adequate lighting, clear exits, safe capacity and security at entry and bar areas reduce the risk of harm.

Duty of care

The venue must take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm to customers and staff, including stopping service to intoxicated persons.

Intoxicated customer care

Stop service, offer water and food, arrange safe transport, and never let an intoxicated customer drive home.

Incident report content

Record date, time, location, people involved, what happened, action taken and witnesses using objective, factual language.