Abstract: DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are potentially serious chromosomal lesions. However, cells sometimes deliberately cleave their own DNA to facilitate certain chromosomal processes and there is much interest in how such self-inflicted breaks are effectively managed. Eukaryotic DSBs occur in the context of chromatin and the RSC chromatin-remodelling ATPase complex has been shown to promote DSB repair at the budding yeast MAT locus DSB, created by the HO endonuclease during mating-type switching. We show that the role of RSC at MAT is highly specialised. The Rsc1p sub-unit of RSC directs nucleosome sliding immediately after DSB creation at both MAT and generally, and is required for efficient DNA damage-induced histone H2A phosphorylation and strand resection during repair by homologous recombination. However, the Rsc2p and Rsc7p subunits are additionally required to set up basal MAT locus structure. This RSC-dependent chromatin structure at MAT ensures accessibility to the HO endonuclease. The RSC complex therefore has chromatin-remodelling roles both before and after DSB induction at MAT, promoting both DNA cleavage and subsequent repair.