The state government will introduce mandatory industry-wide training to combat sexual harassment and drink spiking in South Australian hospitality venues – becoming one of the first states in Australia to do so.

The state government will introduce bystander awareness training with a discussion paper released today for industry feedback on a final model.

Currently, only New South Wales requires all hospitality staff and liquor licence holders to undertake mandatory sexual harassment and sexual violence prevention training, with reforms coming into effect in June 2025.

The expanded training is likely to cover sexual harassment, harassment and gender-based violence as well as drink spiking, with hopes it will improve safety in the hospitality industry by supporting workers to prevent and respond to instances of harassment, assault and discrimination at work with 70 per cent of hospitality workers in South Australia being women.

Last year, the Australian Hotels Association began offering training on these issues to their members, however, this move will make it mandatory right across the state.  

Currently in South Australia, all staff selling or serving alcohol in a licensed venue are required to hold a valid RSA accreditation issued by a registered training organisation approved by the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner through the state’s regulator, Consumer and Business Services. 

The move follows feedback received by the Equal Opportunity Commissioner, the United Workers Union and What Were You Wearing Australia including during consultation on the Late Night Code, which identified a concerning number of hospitality workers having experienced sexual harassment in their career.

The state government expects the training to be finalised by the end of the year.

See the discussion paper