Ahead of the NSW state election on 25 March 2023, the NSW Government caretaker period has commenced. Limited updates will be made to this website during this period.
The NSW and Australian governments have announced an $18 million package to support beekeepers affected by the Varroa mite outbreak.
Registered recreational beekeepers impacted by Varroa mite in the eradication (red) zone and commercial beekeepers in the eradication and surveillance (red and purple) zones can now access reimbursement payments via the Varroa Mite Response program.
To be eligible for reimbursement, applicants must be a registered beekeeper with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), have had honeybee colonies and/or hives and equipment destroyed (this varies dependent on zone) as a direct result of the Varroa mite emergency response and meet other criteria as outlined in the relevant program guidelines.
DPI Authorised Officers will provide impacted beekeepers with details of how they can apply for reimbursement including a link to the application form.
In the eradication (red) zone:
Registered commercial beekeepers and registered recreational beekeepers are both eligible for reimbursement.
As previously announced, reimbursement for registered recreational beekeepers is:
In the surveillance (purple) zone:
Registered commercial beekeepers impacted by Varroa mite in the surveillance (purple) zone can now access reimbursement payments under the agreed National Response Plan.
Commercial beekeepers have two voluntary options for financial reimbursement, as follows:
Or, if beekeepers chose not to euthanasia bees:
For both the eradication (red) and surveillance (purple) zones the Owner Reimbursement Costs (ORC) reimbursements are once-off payments.
NOTE: If you are a commercial beekeeper who has been paid under the reimbursement option in the purple zone, and your area is later declared an eradication red zone, you will receive the red zone reimbursement minus the purple zone reimbursement already paid.
Eradicating Varroa mite from NSW is the priority, and this response aims to give beekeepers in NSW the resources and support to be able to get back to business once the outbreak has been contained.
To be eligible for reimbursement, applicants
Authorised Officers record evidence and the details of all hives and colonies impacted by the Varroa mite emergency response. The evidence recorded informs the Rural Assistance Authority, who is responsible for payment of reimbursement.
You don’t need to take any action until you are contacted by an Authorised Officer with the relevant information.
Authorised Officers will provide impacted beekeepers with details of how to apply for reimbursement including a link to the application form.
Eradication (red) zone
Surveillance (purple) zone
Holding statement:
Click here for a holding statement relevant to commercial beekeepers who have been approved to receive reimbursement under the Varroa Mite Response Program.
The NSW Rural Assistance Authority will be processing the reimbursement applications.
You don’t need to take any action until you are contacted by an Authorised Officer with the relevant information.
For more information on the program guidelines, visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au/grants/varroa