Training

The Commission released a Gambling Industry Training Factsheet (PDF 517 KB) to assist industry understand the various types of training available, and your obligations regarding training. Information is also provided below.

For staff at a gambling facility

All staff members who are directly involved in providing gambling services to patrons and their supervisors must successfully complete an approved training program before they start working at a gambling facility.

The Responsible Conduct of Gambling course is provided by organisations approved by the Commission. It includes material covered in SITHGAM201 - Provide responsible gambling services, as well as ACT-specific information.

View a list of approved Responsible Conduct of Gambling courses (PDF 78KB), Word Version (44KB)

Staff must also complete a refresher course every three years.

For Gambling Contact Officers

A Gambling Contact Officer (GCO) is the main point of contact for patrons and staff for gambling issues. Each licensee of a gambling facility must appoint at least one GCO.

GCOs must complete an initial approved GCO training program to start in the role.

View a list of approved GCO training programs (PDF 65KB)

GCOs must also complete an approved GCO training session in every year of appointment. This mandatory training for existing GCOs provides advanced training and professional development.

Annual GCO training sessions are provided by Wisdom Learning and Lifeline Canberra, with registrations taken online.
To find out more information and book into one of these sessions, please visit:

• Wisdom Learning
• Lifeline Canberra

For Club Board members

The Commission also provides free, voluntary Gambling Harm Prevention information sessions for Community Club Board Members and senior management. Licensees can request a preferred session date. Please contact the Commission to arrange this session.

Exemptions

In certain circumstances the Commission may give an exemption to training requirement so that staff can start work immediately or continue working whilst they organise to complete training. The exemption may cover some or all of the training or give an extended date for completion of the training.

An application for exemption must be sent to the Commission before the staff member starts work or continues to work past their training expiry date. It must include the following information

• details of the nominated persons;
• the reason for the application;
• evidence that definite arrangements have been made for the person to attend the next available course;
• the date of the next available course; and
• details of the course provider.

To apply for an exemption please email gamblingharmprevention@act.gov.au.

Other gambling providers

Lottery providers and the totalisator licensee only need to provide training for the person in charge of each gambling facility (such as an agency outlet). This person then has to make sure that their staff and staff supervisors have completed an approved training course.

Approval of training programs

An organisation that wishes to have a training course approved by the Commission must lodge an Application Form – Approval of a Training Program (PDF 71KB). Advice to Training Providers Seeking Approval of a Training Program (Information sheet) (PDF 151KB) gives detailed information about what documents should be included in the application. The application should be made to the Commission well in advance of the intended program start date.

For more information on the approval process and requirements, please contact the Commission.