Why do you think governments around Australia implemented responsible service of alcohol practices?

You are required by law to encourage responsible drinking when serving, supplying and promoting alcohol at your licensed premises.

Practices to encourage responsible drinking

Apply practices that encourage responsible drinking at your venue, including:

• having non-alcoholic and low alcohol beverages available
• supplying alcohol in standardised quantities that can be recognised by patrons such as serving spirits in nips, using glasses or jugs with measured quantities, and supplying alcohol in labelled pre-packaged containers
• serving patrons half measures of spirits on request.

Minimising harm while running promotions

Plan and manage all promotional activities to ensure they don't jeopardise the safety of patrons or disturb the amenity of the nearby area.

Measures to minimise alcohol-related harm can include:

• providing free food and water to patrons
• offering alternative non-alcoholic beverages
• limiting the number of drinks that can be purchased on each visit to the bar
• monitoring for and managing against stockpiling of drinks
• limiting the duration of the promotion while also ensuring that this does not result in patrons drinking more rapidly within that period
• employing additional staff (e.g. RSA marshalls) to monitor the consumption of alcohol during the course of the promotion
• limiting the number of discounted drinks that each patron is eligible for (e.g. providing a ticket to each patron for 2 discounted drinks)
• limiting the duration of the promotion
• placing limits on the number of drinks any one person can purchase during the promotion.

Learn more from sections 142ZZA and 142ZZB of the Liquor Act 1992.

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Also consider...

• Last reviewed: 29 Nov 2019
• Last updated: 2 Dec 2019

Establishments like bars and clubs, as well as the communities they are part of, and that form around them, have a responsibility to their members and guests to ensure that they can provide a safe environment. This includes the responsible service of alcohol. Establishments that serve alcohol must minimise the risks of harm that arises from alcohol-related incidents.

Arising from the guidelines set out by the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998, the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training program aims to help establishments like bars and clubs develop policies and procedures aimed towards creating a safe environment for taking part in alcohol-related activities. Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) all over the country offer RSA training courses through face-to-face delivery, meaning they are in-person classes with certification issued in a fortnight from completion of the course.

Persons who work at establishments that serve alcohol, and are themselves involved in the service, sale, and handling of alcohol, are required to have RSA training. Below are the advantages of having RSA-trained personnel on board.

PLEASANT ATMOSPHERE

With responsible service comes responsible drinking. Responsible service leads to patrons who are drinking within their capacity, which lessens the incidents of unruly behaviour that arises from excessive drinking. As well, with responsible service, employees can rest easy that the possible effects of rowdy behaviour are minimised.

GOOD REPUTATION

When adhered to correctly, responsible service can give an establishment a good reputation. This reputation goes a long way toward community trust. Establishments that can be trusted not to serve alcohol to minors, for example, will have better patronage and standing within a community as opposed to an establishment that ignores responsible service and provides drinks to minors.

MINIMISE PROPERTY DAMAGE

Responsible service is the first line of defence against property damage from patrons. It can be challenging to avoid unruly behaviour from intoxicated patrons; however, it is the responsibility of establishments that serve alcohol to make sure that their service of alcohol is managed in a way that gives a safe environment for both patrons and employees. With responsible service, the risks of property damage brought on by inebriated patrons are kept to a minimum.

AVOID LEGAL AND FINANCIAL PENALTIES

Perhaps the most important part of responsible service is the legal responsibility of an establishment to provide a safe space in which patrons can partake in alcohol. It is illegal for servers to work in an alcohol-serving establishment without an RSA training certification or competency card. It is also unlawful for such establishments to facilitate or take part in the sale, service, or handling of alcohol without RSA-certified sellers, servers, or handlers. Responsible service states that minors should not be sold or given alcohol in an establishment that sells or serves alcohol, as well (this can incur a $10,444 penalty for bartenders, and a $32,637 penalty for licencees or approved managers).  Selling to, or simply enabling, a disordly patron to consume alcohol, can result in a $10,444 penalty for bartenders, and a $65,275 penalty for the licencee or manager. Suspension or cancelation of a liquor licence is also one of the many penalties that can be incurred. Being aware of these regulations is part of RSA training, and covers a business’s liabilities with the service of alcohol.

These are the reasons why responsible service of alcohol is important for alcohol-serving and -selling establishments. Because these establishments are ubiquitous parts of any community, it is imperative that persons working in these establishments adhere to their RSA training when serving alcohol.

RSA training courses are readily available via RTOs. Enrol in a training course today.