Exact Answer: 3 Years
In South Australia, the selling of alcohol is legal. But, one is only allowed to sell alcohol if they possess a badge and a certification of a Responsible Person. It is a kind of certification provided by the government along with a badge, acknowledging that one is responsible enough to sell alcohol. Earlier, the badge was provided for a specific venue, but now, it is more industry-based. Although, the badge and the certification has a time limit. After that time, the badge and the certificate expire, and one has to re-issue the certification and the badge to sell alcohol once again. All this may make one wonder how long the badge might be valid for.
How Long Does A Responsible Person Badge Last?
The issuance of the badge and the certification is necessary to sell alcohol in Australia. If one is in their liquor shop, they have to wear it all the time and they should have the certification and their ID as well. This is to make sure that everyone knows who holds the responsibility of selling alcohol.
The person who holds the badge or the Responsible person has some responsibilities. They must ensure that they are not serving anyone who is intoxicated, checking the ID of the people they serve so that they know they are not providing alcoholic substances to a minor, etc.
This concept of responsibility on a responsible man is to ensure the sale of alcohol responsibly. If one is intoxicated they are already out of their mind and might have lost thinking capability. If a minor tries to buy alcohol under pressure or any other circumstances, who shall be responsible? So, it is the job of the Responsible Person to ensure that alcohol is sold responsibly and no harm is caused to anyone due to alcohol.
A Responsible Person gets a Badge and a certificate when they are declared responsible. However, this certificate or badge does not last forever. It lasts only for a limited span of time i.e., 3 years. After 3 years of issuing a badge and certificate, one needs to renew or re-issue it to continue selling the alcohol. If they are unable to do so, they lose the position of responsible person and they are not allowed to sell alcohol to anyone.
Why Does A Responsible Person Badge Last For That Long?
Over the past few years, alcohol is easily available in most economically developed countries. This includes Australia as well. The easy availability also leads to misuse of alcohol.
To prevent such misuse or mishappenings, the alcohol sellers are authorized as Responsible Person. These Responsible people take the responsibility of selling alcohol responsibly. A minor may try to get alcohol under pressure from their friends or someone else, an intoxicated person may try to get alcohol more than their limits, someone may try to cause harm to someone after being intoxicated by alcohol. So to prevent these and such more unfortunate happenings, the responsible person is given the responsibility.
Although the badge and a certificate is provided to these responsible people, they have validity. A time limit is set for the renewal of certification and the badge to keep a check on these responsible people. Once this time limit is over, they can reissue or renew the certification and the badge.
Other than that, there may be circumstances where a responsible person might lose their badge or certificate before the time period is over. In that case, they can get a new certificate or badge. But, the new badge or certificate will be of the previously issued date and its validity will be the same. Once the original validity is over, then they can issue a new one with a new validity.
Conclusion
In economically developed countries, the availability of alcohol is easy. Australia is one of such countries. In Australia, it is completely legal to sell alcohol, but one must have a Responsibility badge and certificate with them to do so. The responsible badge and certificate are given to a person who is called a Responsible person who sells the alcohol responsibly. They have some responsibilities and they have to work according to these responsibilities. However, this badge only lasts for 3 years and after that, the responsible person needs to reissue the badge to continue selling alcohol. If the badge is lost, they can reissue it as well.