In a national first, the NSW Government has mandated that all hospitality staff and liquor licence holders must complete training focused on preventing sexual harassment and sexual violence in licensed venues.
The updated training forms part of the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) program and is designed to strengthen the industry’s role in fostering safer, more respectful venues. Delivered through approved training providers, the program introduces content that aims to equip staff with the knowledge and tools to intervene in harmful situations, respond appropriately to disclosures, and support patrons effectively.
The initiative is spearheaded by Liquor & Gaming NSW in collaboration with Good Night Out, an international advocacy organisation focused on preventing gender-based violence in night-time settings.
Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy John Graham said the measures are a crucial step in creating a world-class, inclusive nightlife culture in NSW. “We want NSW to be the global gold standard for live music, nightlife and entertainment. That only happens if our venues are safe, welcoming and respectful for everyone who walks through the door,” he said.
“The updated RSA training course gives hospitality staff real-world tools and guidance needed to step in, defuse trouble and assist their patrons when it counts. One of the key priorities in the NSW Government’s 24-Hour Economy Strategy is safety for night-time workers and these changes are all about ensuring workers can look after their colleagues and customers.”
The revised training content includes information on how alcohol can affect a person’s capacity to consent, and addresses the issue of coercion. It also reinforces that while alcohol may be present in incidents of sexual violence, it is not the cause, nor should it be used to justify the actions of perpetrators or shift blame onto victims.
Staff will also receive guidance on responding to disclosures of sexual harassment, violence, or suspected drink spiking, including connecting individuals to appropriate support services.
NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin said the move signals a broader cultural shift within the industry.
“There should be no places or spaces where women in NSW feel unsafe. Everyone should feel confident that they’ll be safe when they’re socialising or working in a bar, club, restaurant or pub,” she said.
“These changes to RSA training represent an important step in making these spaces safer and more respectful for women. Women will be reassured that staff in licensed venues across NSW will now receive enhanced RSA training, and that this will better equip staff to recognise and respond to unsafe or unacceptable behaviour.”
Full Stop Australia CEO Karen Bevan added: “Full Stop Australia welcomes the addition of new and updated sexual violence prevention and response content in the Responsible Service of Alcohol framework. We were pleased to support the development of the content,” she said.
“Sexual violence is widespread and prevalent across the community, and particularly in nightlife settings. Ensuring hospitality staff are equipped to respond sensitively and safely to disclosures of sexual violence is a positive step towards improving outcomes for victim-survivors. Nights out should be fun and safe for everyone. This change is a step in the right direction to ensure the safety of all workers and patrons in NSW venues.”
The reforms extend to licensee training, which now includes guidance on employer obligations under the federal Respect@Work legislation. This includes proactive requirements to prevent workplace sexual harassment through education and staff training. The updated training also reinforces existing patron safety obligations.
These changes build on existing government-backed initiatives such as Think Safe to Drink Safe and Ask for Angela, supporting a broader commitment to a safer, more inclusive night-time economy.
All RSA training delivered in NSW must now incorporate the new course materials.