Section 2.

State Liquor Laws

Section two is all about Liquor Laws in your state. Some of the information about the laws and
legislation can be a little dry but try to stick with us because it’s important!

In this section we address:

• the meaning, purpose, and importance of RSA

• the purpose and objectives of liquor laws in your state and what they mean for you
• the purpose of liquor licences and licence conditions
• the role and purpose of liquor regulatory authorities in your state

As we review the Liquor Laws for your state, let’s remember that, as an RSA worker, you have a
significant impact on the minimization of alcohol-related harms when selling, serving, and supplying
alcohol responsibly.

You may be wondering - why should alcohol be regulated? There are approximately 17,000
businesses licensed to sell, serve, or supply alcohol. While alcohol is widely available and enjoyed
safely and responsibly by many, alcohol related harms are an ongoing concern.

The risks associated with irresponsible drinking include accidents, injury, and violence. Not only is
the misuse of alcohol having a negative impact on individuals, but also on their families, friends, and
the broader community. The misuse and abuse of alcohol also puts unnecessary pressure on the
police force, ambulance services, and hospitals. Emergency services staff are stretched to capacity as
they treat people who have been involved in incidents resulting from excessive alcohol
consumption, and they are often subjected to threats and violence from intoxicated people.

When poor customer behaviour is left unchecked, it may escalate and manifest into serious crime
including assaults, property damage, sexual assaults, and more.

Good RSA practices are essential to minimize the risk of alcohol-related violence, injuries, and health
issues, and to help ensure people don’t become intoxicated and cause problems for you, your
colleagues, your customers, and the community.

This is where you come in. As an RSA worker on the frontline, you can make a huge difference to the
issues we just mentioned. If you are careful to always sell, serve, or supply alcohol responsibly, you
can have a major contribution towards minimizing harm – pretty cool, aye!

Responsible Service of Alcohol Video Transcript

When you do RSA well, it will improve the safety of staff, customers, and the community by reducing
the risk of violence and disorderly behaviour. It will improve the reputation of businesses with liquor
licenses, reduce legal costs associated with poorly managed businesses, reduce the health
implications for customers, and encourage a more positive social experience.

But it’s not just the right thing to do, it’s the law! Specific legislation is in place that sets out
requirements for the responsible service of alcohol and the associated penalties where
requirements are not met. These laws directly affect you as an RSA practitioner, so you need to
understand the obligations of your role.

Let’s dive in!

Responsible Service of Alcohol Video Transcript