Undercover sting catches students, teachers cheating RSA exam

A covert sting has uncovered the widespread cheating of students sitting the Responsible Service of Alcohol test, with undercover inspectors observing students using mobile phone during exams as well as seeing teachers give out the answers.

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An undercover sting has unearthed widespread cheating of students sitting the Responsible Service of Alcohol test which ensures bartenders know the dangers of serving drinks to patrons already so drunk they could be in danger.

Sydney training provider The Coffee School has been fined $7500 for giving students the answers to the RSA test, which certifies people to serve alcohol at bars, clubs and restaurants.

The Haymarket school, registered as Ton Ton Song Pty Ltd, has been running RSA courses and tests since July 2011.

During one instance in August last year, eight students were given RSA certificates despite submitting 109 incorrect answers between them in the RSA test.

The Coffee School was found guilty of giving students answers to the RSA test.

Undercover inspectors observed answers published on a screen for students.

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In February and March 2019, Liquor & Gaming NSW inspectors covertly enrolled in RSA courses at the company.

The inspectors saw trainers giving 29 students exam answers, including writing the question number next to the correct answer on a PowerPoint slide.

During one undercover operation in February 2019, officers said they saw many students using their mobile phones during the exam.

Undercover inspected saw students using their mobile phones during exams.

Undercover operatives said they observed a lady, of Asian appearance and limited English skills, using her phone to work out what the word “intoxication” meant.

Magistrate Susan McIntyre fined the company $7500 and ordered it to pay legal costs of $3675.

At the Downing Centre Local Court on December 17 she said the offending was a “woeful failure” by the company, saying the need to have hospitality workers properly trained in RSA is important.

“Excessive consumption and non-responsible service of alcohol can lead to harm, injury and death,” she said.

Despite the fine, The Coffee School training organisation is still running courses.

They did not respond to requests for comment.

In 2018-19 Liquor & Gaming NSW issued 185 long-term banning orders, suspended or revoked 10 competency cards and dished out 29 major fines for offences under the Three Strikes Scheme.

Liquor & Gaming NSW director of compliance operations, Sean Goodchild, said the offences threatened the integrity of the RSA training and certification process which “is a vital part of the NSW Government’s efforts to curb alcohol-related harm”.

“The vast majority of RSA training providers do the right thing and take their responsibilities seriously, but this case shows rogue operators who try to cheat the system will be caught and face serious consequences,” Mr Goodchild said.

A drunk reveller at the Haru Fusion Soju Lounge in October last year.

The conviction comes shortly after an unrelated raid in December by inspectors from Liquor & Gaming NSW, who seized more than 340 cans and bottles of alcohol from Korean restaurant Young Pochas.

The Pitt St venue had its liquor licence revoked in July for a string of offences including letting a man get so drunk he fell unconscious.

During their operation, inspectors also discovered that the Young Pochas staff member who sold alcohol to them did not have RSA accreditation.

Shane Townsend, 49, died when his ute hit a power pole at Wisemans Ferry, north of Sydney, on Friday, January 25, 2019.

In September, Haru Fusion Soju Lounge was fined after a woman became so drunk she was carried from the venue and was later found ­unconscious near a pool of vomit.

The 2018 drinking session saw five revellers down 86 glasses of the ­potent Korean liquor soju – which is up to 50 per cent alcohol – in six hours.

Shane Townsend was drunk at the Wisemans Ferry Bowling Club January 25 this year when he refused to leave.

He was twice sold takeaway beers as an incentive to go home. He then got into his car a short time later, crashed into a pole and died.

The club manager, who has since left, has already been fined $1100 by NSW Police for selling alcohol to an intoxicated person.

The venue was issued with a first strike – a system which can see venues eventually disqualified from serving alcohol permanently.

Originally published as Undercover sting catches students, teachers cheating RSA exam