Mandatory training for licensees, approved managers and employees

There are mandatory training requirements for people undertaking certain roles at a licensed premises.

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Becoming an approved manager

The holder of a liquor licence (the licensee) must appoint a person to be the approved manager to supervise and manage the premises as required under section 100(2) of the Liquor Control Act 1988 (the Act).

Where the licensee appoints a person to be the approved manager, that person then represents the licensee and carries responsibility in respect of the obligations under the Act.

An approved manager must be present at the licensed premises at any time when business is conducted at those premises, as required under section 100(2a) of the Act.

You cannot be appointed as an approved manager unless you have an approved manager card issued by the department.

Restricted approved manager card

A restricted approved manager card limits you to occasional, club and club restricted licensed venues in Western Australia only. You need to complete the nationally accredited Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course before you apply for this card.

Unrestricted approved manager card

An unrestricted approved manager card allows you to work at any licensed venue in Western Australia, including an occasional venue. You need to complete the Course in Management of Licensed Premises before applying for this card. The pre-requisite to this course is completion of the RSA course.

Find registered training organisations that offer the Course in Management of Licensed Premises.

Mandatory training

If you have previously completed your training and are unsure if it is still valid, refer to our management and training for a list of previous courses that the department will accept as evidence that you've completed the mandatory training requirements. 

Automatic Mutual Recognition

If you have an approved manager approval form/card from another state or territory, you can use that approval/card to work as an approved manager in WA on a temporary basis. You must notify the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) before starting work in WA under the Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme by initially completing a notification form. If your permanent home address changes, to being WA based, you must apply for a WA approved manager’s certificate to continue working in WA.

Lodging an application

You must lodge an application with the department before you can be appointed as a manager at a licensed premises.

Before you lodge an application, please note:

  • The approved manager card is valid in Western Australia only. If you want to work as an approved manager in another state or territory, contact the relevant authorities in that jurisdiction.
  • You need to have a copy of your training certificate and a national police clearance that is no more than 3 months old.

Refer to the approved managers lodgement guide on how to apply for the approved manager’s card.

The application is a 2-step process:

  1. Complete your application online.
  2. After completing your application online, print the two-page application summary and any documents listed in box B of the summary. Visit your nearest participating WA Post Office that can take a photo for the card and pay the application fee to complete your lodgement.
You cannot lodge your application at Australia Post office in another state or territory.

After you've lodged your application

Once you've lodged your application at Australia Post, you will receive a receipt. This enables you to act as an approved manager until the application has been determined. Hold onto this receipt as you must present it if asked by an authorised officer such as a police officer or liquor inspector.

The approved manager card lasts for 5 years, unless otherwise indicated on the card and can be renewed.

Processing your application

On receipt and payment of your application, a customer service officer will process your application. Any enquires regarding the progress of your application should be referred to the customer service officer dealing with your application by contacting 61 8 6551 4888.

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Bar staff at licensed venues

There are mandatory training requirements for licensees, approved managers, supervisory staff bar staff and crowd controllers. This relates to the management of licensed premises and the responsible service of alcohol under sections 33 and 103A of the Act.

All staff engaged in the sale, supply or service of liquor need only complete at a minimum the nationally accredited Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course.

If you have not completed the RSA course prior to commencing employment, then you must complete the course within 28 days of commencing employment.

A copy of your RSA certificate must be provided to your employer.

If you have previously completed your training and are unsure if it is still valid, please refer to our mandatory training policy for a list of previous courses that the department will accept as evidence that you have completed the mandatory training requirements.

There is no requirement to apply for a licence unless you want to become an approved manager.

RSA card

If you have an RSA card issued by another state or territory, it will not be accepted as evidence that you have completed your RSA training. You will need to provide your employer with a copy of your RSA certificate.

If you have lost your RSA certificate, you will need to contact your training provider to obtain a replacement copy.

If you want to complete the RSA course, please refer the list of registered training providers (this is not an exhaustive list of training providers). A  full list of training providers is also available.

Temporary approved manager

Where an approved manager is absent for any reason, such as illness, unplanned absences or holidays, the licensee or an approved manager may appoint another person to act as a temporary manager for a period up to 7 consecutive days under section 100(3) of the Act.

The person appointed as a temporary manager cannot:

  • be someone who has been found not fit and proper by the licensing authority
  • act as a temporary manager for more than 7 days in any 28 day period.

Temporary manager appointments should be made in writing. We suggest adding it to the incident report to cover both the licensee and the temporary manager in the event a police officer or liquor inspector requests to see the approved manager.

Renewing your approved manager card

Approved manager card is valid for 5 years, unless otherwise indicated on the card. The expiry date is listed on the front of the card.

The department will notify you 2 months prior to the expiry of your approval via the contact details currently listed on your online account. It is your responsibility to renew your approval when it is nearing expiration. Ensure your contact details are updated via the online portal on the My Account page.

You are not required to re-sit any of the training to complete your renewal application.

Please refer to the approved managers renewal guide on how to renew your approved manager card.

The renewal application must be completed and paid for before the expiry date of your current approval.

If your approved manager card expires before you are able to complete the renewal application, you are no longer considered to be an approved manager.

On receipt and payment of your application, a customer service officer will be assigned to process your application. Any enquires regarding the progress of your application should be referred to the customer service officer dealing with your application in the first instance by contacting 61 8 6551 4888.

Upgrading your approved manager card

If you have a restricted approved manager card and want to work at any licensed venue in Western Australia, you can lodge an application to upgrade to an unrestricted approved manager card via our online portal.

You need to complete the Course in Management of Licensed Premises before you lodge your application. View a list of training providers that offer the Course in Management of Licensed Premises.

On receipt and payment of your application, a customer service officer will be assigned to process your application. Any enquires regarding the progress of your application should be referred to the customer service officer dealing with your application by contacting 61 8 6551 4888.

Replacement cards

If your card has been lost, stolen, damaged or your name has changed, you can request a replacement card via our online portal.

Refer to the approved manager replacement card application guide to help lodge your application.

On receipt and payment of your application, a customer service officer will be assigned to process your application. Any enquires regarding the progress of your application should be referred to the customer service officer dealing with your application by contacting 61 8 6551 4888.

Training for licensees

To hold a licence (other than an occasional licence) the course in Management of Licensed Premises must be successfully completed by:

  • an individual who is applying in their own right
  • at least one director, where the applicant is a company
  • at least one partner, where the applicant is a partnership (if the partnership consists of companies, at least one director of one partner company).

Occasional licences

To hold an occasional licence where more than 250 people are expected at the event, the nationally accredited course for the Responsible Service of Alcohol must be successfully completed by:

  • an individual who is applying in their own right
  • at least one director, where the applicant is a company
  • at least one partner, where the applicant is a partnership (if the partnership consists of companies, at least one director of one partner company).  

For larger events, the licensing authority may require the attendance of an unrestricted approved manager and place conditions on the occasional licence. If 250 or less people are expected at an event, the licensee will not need to complete this training.

Approved managers at clubs

If you want to be an approved manager at a club that trades under a club or club restricted liquor licence, then you need to apply for a restricted approved manager card. You need to complete the nationally accredited Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course before you apply for this card.

If you intend to work at other licensed venues in addition to a club or club restricted licence, then you should apply for the unrestricted approved manager card instead. You need to complete the course in Management of Licensed Premises before applying for this card. The pre-requisite to this course is completion of the RSA course.

See becoming an approved manager for further details on how to become an approved manager.

If you have an unrestricted approved manager card, then you are ready to assume approved manager duties at your club.

Approved managers for occasionals

If you want to be an approved manager for an occasional liquor licence, then you need to apply for a restricted approved manager card. You need to complete the nationally accredited Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course before you apply for this card.

If you intend to work at other licensed venues in addition an occasional licence, then you should apply for the unrestricted approved manager card instead. You need to complete the Course in Management of Licensed Premises before applying for this card. The pre-requisite to this course is completion of the RSA course.

See becoming an approved manager for further details on how to become an approved manager.

If you already have an approved manager card, then you are ready to assume approved manager duties for an occasional licence.

 

Training for international students

If you want to be employed at a licensed premises to sell, supply or serve liquor, you need to complete the nationally accredited Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course. You need to successfully complete this course within 28 days of employment. A copy of your RSA certificate must be provided to your employer.

Please note that non-Australian residents on an international student visa must complete training with an organisation that is registered to train international students.

Please refer to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) to see if your training provider is on the register. Alternatively, contact the training provider directly and ask if they are registered to train international students.

At this time you cannot apply for an unrestricted approved manager card as the existing approved providers presenting the Course in Management of Licensed Premises are not registered with CRICOS.  

Becoming an approved manager at a club

If you want to be an approved manager at a club that trades under a club or club restricted liquor licence, then you are eligible to apply for a restricted approved manager card.

You need to complete the nationally accredited Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course with a CRICOS registered training provider before you apply for this card.

See becoming an approved manager for further details on how to become a restricted approved manager.

Page reviewed 31 October 2024
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