Working in Australia – Opportunities, tips for backpackers and job search advice

Industry-specific certificates and training

All backpackers take the same first steps in Australia with a Working Holiday Visa but you may need certificates or specific training for jobs in the restaurant industry, hospitality, construction or if you work with children.

The Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate (to work in all places where alcohol is served or sold)

What is it?

The RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) is a certificate showing that you know the regulations regarding alcohol consumption in Australia. A current, accredited certificate is mandatory in all states and territories to work in places where alcohol is served or sold.

The RSA training teaches you to serve alcohol responsibly by identifying intoxicated customers and underage drinkers—the legal drinking age is 18 throughout Australia and yes, it’s strictly enforced. It highlights regulations regarding alcohol consumption in Australia, including standard drink pouring, staff and venue responsibilities, and the legal limit for driving.

If you find a job in a licensed restaurant, café or bar, your employer will ask for a current RSA certificate. Some states allow a 30-day grace period to complete the course after you start work. In practice, an RSA certificate is pretty much a prerequisite in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Bar and restaurant managers usually need additional certification.

How long is the training course?

You can take the training at a centre (mandatory in Victoria) or online. It’s a day-long course (4-6 hours) and while the different modules aren’t exactly fascinating, they aren’t challenging. Typically, you can repeat questions until you get them right. You can print a certificate or have it posted to you after the final multiple-question test.

How much does it cost?

Training costs $50-$130, depending on where you take it and on the course provider. Online training is usually cheaper.

National RSA and state/territory-specific RSA

Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania offer a single, national training–the “RSA: Provide responsible service of alcohol – SITHFAB002.” This means that if you take it in Queensland and later go work in Western Australia, your original certificate will be accepted.

New South Wales issues RSA competency cards valid in that state only. However, as of July 1, 2018, if you complete the New South Wales RSA training, you will also be granted the National RSA Statement of Attainment SITHFAB002 valid in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania. If you completed RSA training before moving to Queensland, you can take the online NSW RSA bridging course provided by Liquor & Gaming NSW to receive a NSW RSA bridging course completion certificate.

Victoria requires the approved Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) program to be completed in a classroom environment (i.e. not online). If you completed training in another state or territory, you may apply to do a bridging course to have your certificate recognized in Victoria, provided that you completed your training in an approved centre (i.e. not online).

The Australian Capital Territory also requires a state-specific training, the ACT RSA. This certificate is not valid in other states and territories. However, as of July 1, 2017, your out-of-state RSA certificate should be valid in the ACT.

RSA certificates do expire after 3 or 5 years in some states—taking a refresher course is required.

RSA certification at a glance by state/territory

The information was last updated in November 2019.

Do I really need it?

If you are caught working without having your RSA certificate, you and your employer will face huge fines. Considering the cost of training, it’s just not worth it. For instance, in Sydney, fines range from $55 to $550 for each offence for the worker and fines are higher if you work in King’s Cross or Sydney CBD.

Can I get the certificate before going to Australia?

Despite the availability of online training in most states/territories, you can’t complete the course before landing in Australia.

To take the course, the accredited provider requires a Unique Student Identifier (USI) number. Applying for a USI number is easy and you keep it for life, but the Australian Government states that “You cannot apply for a USI whilst you are still overseas. International students (including New Zealand) can only create their USI once they have entered Australia using their non-Australian passport and Australian visa.” If you try, you won’t be able to verify your passport.

However, you can do some prep work (and it’s a great way to practise your English!). For example, the Queensland Government offers free short online courses and knowledge tests (but no certificate will be issued).

What kind of jobs can I get with this certificate?

With a valid RSA certificate, you can work as a barman/barmaid, in a bottle shop (licensed shops where alcohol is sold), restaurant staff (including waiter/waitress), kitchen steward, etc.

The White Card – General Construction Induction Card (to work in construction)

What is it?

A White Card (also known as a General Construction Induction Card) is a mandatory work card required to work on a construction site in Australia. To get it, you have to take the “Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry CPCCWHS1001” training course—as the name suggests, you will learn how to identify a safety hazard, report a safety issue on a work site, take proper measures to reduce the risk of accident or injury and respond to a workplace health and safety incident.

Note: Hoping to stay in Australia longer than a year? Like harvest jobs, construction is a gateway to a second Working Holiday Visa. If you complete 3 months (88 days) of “specified work” (construction counts) in a “designated area” (i.e. in rural Australia, outside of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and surrounding areas) over the period of your stay in Australia, you may be eligible to a second WHV. As of July 1, 2019, you may even be able to apply for a third-year WHV. Construction is more physical than fruit picking but it usually pays better.

How long is the training course?

It’s a day-long training in a classroom environment. If you choose online training, plan 4-6 hours to complete it.

How much does it cost?

Training costs range between $50 and $100 depending on the provider and mode of delivery (online training is cheaper).

You will find the list of accredited training providers, “Registered Training Organizations,” here.

Is it valid anywhere in Australia?

White Card training is recognized nationally, so you can work anywhere in Australia with a valid White Card, no matter where training was completed.

Your White Card doesn’t expire. However, some states/territories require or recommend  a refresher course if you have not worked on a construction site for 2 years or more.

Do I really need it?

According to National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work, you need a White Card to work as a construction labourer, tradesperson, site manager, supervisor and surveyor. It’s also required if you access operational construction zones unaccompanied or unsupervised or routinely enter operational construction zones.

If you’re not asked for your White Card on a construction site, be careful. The site manager may be cutting corners.

The Responsible Service of Gambling (RSG) certificate (to work in gaming venues)

What is it?

This training is mandatory for gaming staff and hospitality workers in gambling-related establishments. During the training, you will learn how provide responsible gambling services and information to customers who require assistance with a gambling problem.

How long is the training course?

It takes 6 hours to complete, like the RSA training. Both are often offered back-to-back since most venues offer alcohol and gambling machines.

How much does it cost?

Budget between $30 and $100 depending on where you take the training.

What are the requirements by state/territory?

Each state or territory has its own sets of rules:

• In some, you are required to complete the training as soon as you start working
• Others offer a 3-month grace period
• Training isn’t mandatory in Western Australia

The Blue Card System (to work with children in Queensland)

Queensland requires employees who work with children (child care, education, sport, cultural activities and foster care) to go through the Blue Card System, which create a safe environment for children through a background check and followup.

The blue card system is made up of 3 parts–screening, ongoing monitoring and risk management strategies. For more information, read How the blue card system works.

The traffic controller certificate (to work as a traffic controller)

Traffic controllers must take the “Control traffic with stop-slow bat” course. The one- or two-day course teaches you how to plan and prepare your work, coordinate traffic, operate radios, and clean up the work site.

The course is delivered in two parts through on and off the job training. Average course fee is $280.

For more general information, read Control traffic with stop-slow bat – Unit details.

For state/territory-specific info, check the following links:

• New South Wales
• Queensland
• Victoria
• Western Australia
• South Australia
• Northern Territory