The Sale of Liquor Act 1989, section 115, requires that:
"(1)At all times when liquor is being sold or supplied to the public on any licensed  premises a manager must be on duty"

"(3)A manager on duty in respect of licensed premises is responsible for;

 (a) The compliance with and enforcement of- 

(i) The provisions of this Act 

(ii) The conditions of the licence in force in respect of the premises; and

 (b) The conduct of the premises with the aim of contributing to the reduction of liquor abuse"

There are two kinds of manager's certificates:

1. General Manager's Certificate
   Permits the holder to manage any premises on which a licence is in force ie On, Off, Club or Special licences
2. Club Managers Certificate
   Permits the holder to manage any premises on which a Club or Special licence is in force (If a person's only connection with the liquor retail industry is by virtue of their association with a club, they are only able to apply for a Club manager's Certificate)

An application for a Manager's Certificate is evaluated against the following criteria;

1. The character and reputation of the applicant
2. Any convictions recorded against the applicant
3. Any experience, in particular recent experience, that the applicant has had in managing licensed premises
4. Any training, in particular recent training, that the applicant has undertaken and evidence that the applicant holds the prescribed qualification required under section 117A. (The course we offer includes the 2 unit standards that make up the prescribed qualification - the Licence Controller Qualification. It is a requirement that as of 1 April 2006 all new applicants for a General Manager's Certficate do hold this qualification) 
5. The reports from both the police and licensing inspector

An applicant must be aged 18 years or over. Persons under the age of 20 years will need to have had fairly extensive experience for their application to be favourably considered.