RSG Australia Courses
Intending to work in a pub or gaming lounge in Australia?
The process to get an RSG Certificate in Australia is relatively simple and can easily be done online.
Let me guide you through all the necessary information you need on which RSG Course is best to get your Australian RSG Certificate and get you working straight away.
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1. RSG Course Basics
1.1 What is an RSG/RCG Certificate?
An RSG/RCG certificate shows that you have completed an RSG/RCG course to provide gaming/gambling services responsibly to customers. An RSG/RCG can only be completed from a Registered Training Organization (RTO).
The idea behind the training is to provide adequate training to help prevent gambling addiction, protection of vulnerable players, and help to identify gambling addiction issues.
A Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) is the equivalent of an RSG for NSW only.
1.2 Do I need an RSG Certificate and How?
Depending on the type of jobs you are applying for, generally pubs, hotels and some restaurants that offer keno, TAB or gaming machines require their staff to have a Responsible Service of Gaming (RSG).
A job advertisement will usually state if you require RSG as well as an RSA to work there.
If you haven’t obtained an RSA yet check out our complete RSA Guide.
The courses can be easily completed online for most states except for NSW which requires training to be completed in the classroom (or virtual classroom at specified dates and times). For Victoria you can do it for free through a combination of online and video-conferencing.
Generally online courses are cheaper and you can complete the Answers at your own pace.
1.3 What Jobs Require an RSG Certificate?
Regardless of any experience you have before working in Australia, you will need an RSG Certificate to work in the following jobs in Australia.
- Gaming Staff
- Pubs, hotels & some restaurants that offer Keno, TAB, Gaming machines
The employer will usually let you know if you are required to obtain an RSG certificate.
1.4 How Much Does an RSG Australia Course Cost?
We have seen some online courses that cost as little as $18. However, the majority of courses range from $20 – $60 in most states. The classroom training for NSW and Victoria ranges from $60 – $180.
As you can see, you can get an RSG for as little as $18 however, there is definitely a difference in quality between some providers. Some courses are great and some are terrible. See the next section for more details.
1.5 How long does the RSG course take?
The majority of the online courses can be completed in 3-6 hours, depending on your pace. You can save and resume the course and do it at your own pace.
What’s required to pass the course?
The online courses provide interactive training videos and modules that teach you everything you need to know about Responsible Service of Gaming (RSG). Once you have completed the training there are multiple-choice assessments you need to pass to be issued with your RSG Certificate.
We provide tips on how to pass these sections quickly and easily in section 6.
2. Benefits of a Good RSG Provider
A quick Google search will show a ton of different providers, using any one of these providers will get you an RSG Certificate but some are definitely better than others.
As a general rule, the cheapest course probably won’t be the best one.
RSG courses in Australia are designed to require that you contact a trainer if you get the answer to a question wrong more than 3 times. Good training means that contacting a trainer is relatively easy so that you can continue with the course. Good training also means that the content of the course is presented in a way (like Interactive Video) where getting the correct answer is made easier and you learn more!
Check out reviews of courses or ask around before you choose one.
3. Which State has the Best RSG Certificate?
Unfortunately, there isn’t an RSG Certificate that is recognised in every single state. New South Wales and Victoria require a specific RSG Certificate. Here’s a brief description of the state differences so you can choose the course that’s right for you.
Queensland
Queensland RSG can only be completed online and takes around 4-6 hours to complete. However, it is also nationally accredited, which means you can use this Certificate in QLD, SA, NT, WA and TAS
Generally, the cost for this course ranges between $19 – $25 AUD. But other course providers can go as high as 100 AUD.
Be Aware
This certificate is not valid for NSW and Victoria.
NSW
This certificate is known as RCG and it is accepted in WA, NT & SA. Moreover, it is also one of the most expensive courses ranging from $115 – $200.
The course can be done virtually at appointed times and dates. It can also be completed in a classroom if you prefer.
Tip
If you are not planning on working in NSW we recommend you complete a course from one of the other states that is nationally accredited. This will save you money and time because the NSW course has more content and takes longer to complete.
Victoria
The Victoria RSG certificate can only be completed in classroom training. The course has two parts. Module 1 has to be completed within 1 month of starting at a venue. Module 2 is a face-to-face that has to be completed within 6 months of starting work.
See the Official Victorian Gambling and Casino Control site for the full list of online and in-class training providers.
Other States:
The other states also provide nationally accredited courses, each state has specific laws and requirements for RSG.
Completing a nationally accredited course will allow you to work in QLD, NT, TAS, QLD, WA, and ACT regardless of which state you completed it in.
Generally doing training in the state you are thinking of working in as the training will be more specific to the state you will be working in.
4. Do I Need an RSG Certificate Before I Start Working at a Bar?
Some states allow you to start immediately and get your RSG Certificate within a certain time period (usually less than 6 months).
Each state has different rules:
- WA - RSG is recommended but not a legal requirement.
- QLD - RSG must be obtained prior to starting employment.
- NSW - RCG must be obtained prior to starting employment. Must be completed in the classroom or virtual classroom.
- TAS - RSG must be obtained prior to starting employment.
- VIC - must be obtained within 6 months of commencement of employment. Requires online and face-to-face module.
- SA - RSG must be obtained within 6 months of commencement of employment.
- NT - must be obtained within 3 months of commencement of employment
It is recommended you obtain your RSG Certificate before you apply for a job as it will increase your chances of getting hired.
Also after the certain time period expires if you have not obtained your RSG you can’t legally work, so may lose your job or even worse get a hefty fine.
5. How do I get an RSG Certificate?
Once you’ve decided on a provider, getting an RSG Certificate is a simple process. Here are the steps:
- Sign up for a good provider
- You will need to create a Unique Student Identifier (USI). The provider should provide a link once you’ve signed up.
- Complete the course
- You will be issued with a RSG Certificate usually a PDF which you can print or email to an employer when they ask for it
6. Tips to Help You Pass
Go Slow to Go Fast
Take your time going through the material. There is a big temptation to rush through or not even look at the material and go straight to the RSG Questions and RSG Answers.
Doing this could mean you get the question wrong 3 times and need to contact your training provider. Don’t stress if this happens though (it happened to me) but it certainly slows you down.
Go slow over the information you think will be important and you will breeze through the RSG Questions and RSG Answers.
Eliminate the obvious wrong answers
Just like any multiple-choice quiz or exam you’ve done there is always a few ridiculous answers.
In the RSG Questions, there are usually 2 obvious incorrect answers. Eliminating these straight away will leave you with 2 or 4 answers to choose from. So pretty hard to get it wrong 3 times.
Do It At Your Own Pace
If you’re anything like me, I lose concentration after a few hours (sometimes a lot less time).
The benefit of doing the online course is you can save and continue at a later date. The course takes 4-12 hours but doesn’t have to be done in 1 day. Break the course up, and spend smaller fully focused periods completing the course. This will avoid mistakes with the questions and having to contact support after 3 incorrect attempts at the RSG Answers.
Don’t Put the Same Answer Twice
Sounds silly but it happens a lot.
You might be certain that was the right answer but refuse the temptation to select the same answer again. You may have misread the question. It is extremely unlikely there was a glitch (even with the cheaper courses) if it says it was wrong.
The RSG course is set up for you to review the material while you answer the questions. If you got it wrong you can review the material to find the right answer.
Cheap and Nasty Courses
As we mentioned above some courses are better than others, avoid the cheap and nasty courses. Although the course might be cheap, you will have to spend a lot of time waiting for technical support to complete the course should you get an answer wrong. This will slow you down and can make you frustrated.
FAQ
What’s the difference between an RSA and an RSG?
An RSA Course is for service of alcohol. While an RSG is for gaming/gambling. Some venues require you to obtain both. Generally, most places that offer gambling services also serve alcohol but it depends on how the venue is set up and if the gaming is in a different section of the venue. Check with the employer when you are applying for a job.
Can I work in a venue that has gaming machines without an RSG?
It depends on the state. Some states allow you to get an RSG a short time after you have started working. See section 4 for more details.
Can I use my New Zealand Gaming licence as RSG in Australia?
No, you need to have an Australian RSG to work in a venue that offers gambling facilities in Australia.
Can I start an RSG Course before I arrive in Australia?
Some courses allow you to start the course but you won’t be able to finish the course without a Unique Student Identifier (USI). The USI can’t be obtained unless you have a valid visa for Australia. Even if your working holiday visa has been granted, the visa does not activate until you arrive in Australia. Therefore you won’t be able to get a USI before you arrive and won’t be able to complete the course.
Can I work in NSW with QLD RSG?
No. NSW requires you to obtain a NSW RSG to work there.
Can I work in QLD with a TAS RSG?
Yes, if the course you completed in TAS is nationally recognised you can work in every state except NSW and VIC.
Do I need an RSG Certificate to work at a Bar?
If the venue offers gambling services you will very likely need an RSG.
