Beekeeping is regulated in Australia, and beekeepers must comply with state, territory, and federal regulations. These regulations aim to protect both bees and humans from pests and diseases and ensure the sustainability of Australia’s beekeeping industry.
Each Australian state and territory has their own beekeeping regulations, which usually cover issues like registration and biosecurity requirements.
Registration of Beekeepers
In Australia, registration of beekeepers is compulsory. Registration provides essential information about the number of hives and beekeepers in each state and territory. This information allows local biosecurity authorities to conduct disease prevention and control programs to benefit beekeepers and prevent the spread of unwanted pests and diseases.
Registered beekeepers are also offered training services and helpful information on beekeeping, including biosecurity alerts and advice.
In managing emergency incidents, local biosecurity authorities need to know where susceptible beehives are and who is responsible for keeping the hives. The purpose of up-to-date registration is to allow biosecurity officers to communicate directly with a beekeeper and act quickly in an emergency response
Where to register as a beekeeper in each state and territory in Australia.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Federal Regulations
Biosecurity Act 2015
In addition to state and territory regulations, federal laws regulate beekeeping in Australia. The Biosecurity Act 2015 is a federal law that sets out Australia’s biosecurity framework. It aims to prevent the entry, establishment and spread of pests and diseases that could harm Australia’s environment, economy, and community.
Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, beekeepers (commercial or hobby) must report any signs of pests and diseases in their hives to their state or territory biosecurity authority.
Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice.
The Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice (the Code) has been developed in consultation with beekeepers and governments to help Australian beekeepers use best-practice biosecurity measures and comply with the Biosecurity Act 2015.
The Code is based on the principles of good biosecurity. It describes what a beekeeper must achieve to prevent and control pests and diseases on their hives and those of their fellow beekeepers. Some requirements of the Code are already mandatory under existing state and territory legislations.
The Code sets out the following requirements for all beekeepers:
- Beekeepers must be registered.
- Beekeepers must report notifiable diseases.
- Hives must be regularly inspected for pests and diseases.
- Beekeepers must control or eradicate pests and disease and must manage weak hives.
- Beekeepers must maintain records of biosecurity-related actions and observations.
- Beekeepers must not allow hives, or appliances to become exposed or neglected.
- Beekeepers must allow their operation to be assessed.
- Beekeepers must demonstrate a minimum level of knowledge of pests and disease identification and management.
- Beekeepers must have honey tested annually for American foulbrood