Beekeeper registration

Be a responsible beekeeper

Bees are amazing animals that play a critical role in global food security as well as providing income to professional beekeepers and enjoyment to hobbyists the world over. However, bees are constantly under threat from a range of devastating pests and diseases, many that are not present in Australia, as well as the impacts of chemicals and pollution.

In NSW, beekeepers who own European honey bees (Apis mellifera) must register with NSW DPIRD. If you are a beekeeper in NSW, play your part in protecting our bee populations and the role they play in pollination by registering your hives.

Compulsory registration helps us prevent the spread of unwanted pests and diseases including Varroa and tracheal mites. We are able to contact beekeepers and locate hives that may require treatment or inspection.

We are also able to offer registered beekeepers regular information on beekeeping biosecurity and training services.

Applying for, renewing and maintaining your beekeeper registration

As part of the Department’s commitment to reduce paper-based communication, the Biosecurity and Food Safety Customer Portal (BFS Portal) has been developed to help you apply for, renew and maintain your beekeeper registration electronically. All beekeepers are encouraged to sign up to the BFS Portal and opt in for electronic communication.

BFS Portal

To apply for a new beekeeper registration:

1. Click the link to the BFS Portal above and create a login
2. Once you are in the portal, click Apply Now on the right side of the screen and select "Beekeeper registration".
3. Complete the application (this will take around 5 minutes).
4. Licensing & Accreditation Services will review your application within 10 working days and advise you of the outcome.

To renew your beekeeper registration:

1. Click on the link to the BFS Portal above and log into your account
2. Once you are in the portal, click "Renew my Authorisation" on the right side of the screen
3. Complete the application (this will take around 2 minutes)
4. Licensing & Accreditation Services will review your application within 10 working days and advise you of the outcome.

Duration of registration

A beekeeper registration issued under the Biosecurity Act 2015 is valid for 2 years.

Class of registration

There are three classes of registration: Business, Recreational and Recreational Concession. Business registration is for those intending to derive a taxable income (part time/full time business) from the sale of bees or hive products (e.g. honey, beeswax, etc). If you are unsure and would like assistance in determining whether you are running a business, please visit www.business.gov.au

Business registration is not defined by the number of hives that you own. However, if you own 20 or more hives, there are additional requirements that apply to you under the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice. See registration requirement further below.

You may change your class of registration at the time of renewal via the BFS Portal.

Cost of registration

The fee payable at the time of beekeeper registration or renewal depends on the class of registration.

* A 10% discount is applied to registrations submitted via the BFS Portal.

Maintaining your registration

Beekeepers are encouraged to regularly update their registration details via the BFS Portal. Below is a list of the main actions that can be undertaken via the portal. Please note that update requests are sent for approval and may take a few days to appear on your account.

BFS Portal assistance

If you require assistance with the BFS Portal, please contact Licensing & Accreditation Services on 1800 680 244 or bfs.admin@dpird.nsw.gov.au

If you are unable to utilise the BFS Portal, you may complete the paper-based version of the Application for registration as a beekeeper form (PDF, 126.55 KB). Paper-based renewal application forms are made available shortly before registration expiry.

Registration requirements

Once you have registered, you will be issued with a Certificate of Registration. This certificate clearly outlines your conditions of registration and should be kept for future reference.

The following requirements are conditions of beekeeper registration within NSW. Failure to comply may result in the suspension or cancellation of registration.

Requirements for hives

Under clause 84(1) of the Biosecurity Regulation 2017 registered beekeepers must only use a frame hive (a hive containing only movable frames which may be separately and readily removed for examination, OR a hive containing fixed frames in the honey-super boxes of the hive, and a broodbox (being the bottom box of an active hive) with movable frames, and a queen excluder which is fitted immediately above the broodbox of the hive in order to prevent the queen from gaining access to the honey-super boxes of the hive.

Note: Requirement 6.2 of the Code that provides for how hives must be appropriately constructed and branded does not apply.

Requirements for records and notification

Under clause 85(1)(b) and 85(2) of the Biosecurity Regulation 2017 beekeepers must keep written records (which may be in electronic form) of the following and retain that record in a readily accessible form for a period of 5 years:

• if a hive of the registered entity that contains bees has been lost, stolen or destroyed; the date on which that occurred, and the number of hives to which this occurred.
• disposes (including by sale) of a queen bee or colony of bees to another person; the date on which the disposal occurred, and the number of queen bees or colonies of bees disposed of, and the method of disposal (for example, by sale or gift), and the name, postal address and beekeeper registration number of the person to whom the queen bee or colony of bees was disposed.

Registered beekeepers must notify NSW DPIRD of a change in contact details within 7 days after the change occurs.

Note: Requirement 11.3 of the Code that provides for additional reporting requirements for beekeepers with 20 or more hives, the annual reporting period has been replaced to the time of application for renewal of beekeeper registration, and any other time if specifically requested by the department.

Maintaining minimum standards

A registered beekeeper must maintain minimum standards for beekeeping in accordance with the  Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice (the Code). See below for more information on the Code.

In addition to the above conditions of registration, there are other legislative provisions that beekeepers:

• must, under clause 7 of the Biosecurity Regulation 2017, report notifiable bee pests and diseases to NSW DPIRD within 1 working day after the person first suspects or becomes aware of the presence; and
• must, under section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 2015, manage the hives to minimise the risk of a nuisance or threat to the amenity or health of any other person or property.

Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice

NSW DPIRD endorses the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice.

The Code of Practice is based on the principles of good biosecurity and helps Australian beekeepers to protect the industry from pests and diseases. The standards in the Code are not onerous, they are things that all beekeepers should be doing to manage their hives.

All NSW beekeepers will need to adhere to the Code of Practice as a condition of registration. As a beekeeper there are minimum standards you need to meet related to:

• Inspections
• Disease management and reporting
• Record keeping.

Compliance with the Code will deliver long-term industry benefits by way of easier movements interstate, increased access to public lands and improved pest and disease management.

Factsheets

• Don't get stung - Bee registered.
• Compulsory labeling of bee hives (PDF, 304.97 KB)

Clubs and associations

Amateur Beekeepers Australia

NSW Apiarists Association

North Shore Beekeepers Association

Australian Honey Bee Industry Council