On 13 February 2024 the National Management Group (NMG) approved the next phase of the national Transition to Management (T2M) plan for Varroa mite. The T2M plan aims to increase resilience and minimise ongoing impacts of varroa mite naturalisation across Australia's bee and pollination-dependent industries.
This phase of the plan focuses on increased training to help beekeepers prepare and manage the pest.
Varroa mite was first detected in DPI surveillance hives at the Port of Newcastle in June 2022. The Varroa mite Response was established immediately and became a national response funded and supported by Commonwealth, state and territory governments as well as contributing industries.
The response quickly became the largest multi-agency plant biosecurity response in Australia's history, and sought to carefully manage biosecurity risk, protect agricultural industry and maintain business continuity.
The Varroa mite Response is overseen by the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP) and the National Management Group (NMG). The NMG is made up of representatives from the Federal Government, every state and territory department and executives from relevant peak industry bodies and Plant Health Australia.
A Varroa mite Control Order is now in place.
There are two Varroa mite Control zones in place in NSW, the Suppression (SCZ) and Management (MCZ) Control Zones. See the Zones map on this page.
Beekeepers are required to notify NSW DPI of movements from the MCZ to the SCZ.
Beekeepers are required to conduct surveillance on their own hives.
Beekeepers are required to use approved treatment protocols to treat hives which reach a minimum infestation threshold.
Further details on these requirements are provided on this website and the latest Varroa mite Emergency Response FAQs
NSW DPI thanks beekeepers for their patience and compliance as we work with the Consultative Committee for Plant Pests on plans for management.
Your compliance is essential in helping to slow the spread and allowing beekeepers and pollination industries to understand and manage challenges caused by the naturalisation of Varroa.
To learn more about Varroa biology and monitoring, read the Varroa mite Primefact
The National Varroa Mite Management Program is delivering a series of workshops for beekeepers, to help you understand Varroa mite and how to manage it in your hives.
Find out more about the training, upcoming NSW workshops and register for workshops here.
The training workshops are being held across various locations aiming to reach as many beekeepers as possible. If there is no workshop listed for your area, let us know so that we can consider it as we schedule more training.
To find our more about the current National Varroa Mite Response Plan you can read the following response plan summaries.
This interactive map shows where Varroa mite detections have been reported. The legend has different colours to represent the number of detections in each area. The map is updated weekly.
There are two Varroa mite Control zones.
Different requirements apply depending on where your honeybees and hives are located.
Read our Assistance Guide for Beekeepers (PDF, 231.53 KB) for various assistance services available to impacted beekeepers to support them through the emergency response.
There are free and confidential support services available to all beekeepers during this difficult time and we encourage beekeepers to access small business and mental health and wellbeing support early.
Small business support is available to beekeepers through:
The Varroa mite emergency response may impact people’s mental and emotional wellbeing.
Stressful events can cause feelings of worry and unease, especially where there are levels of uncertainty involved, but there are things you can do to take care of yourself.
In tough times we need to remember to look after ourselves. As much as possible, maintaining routines with good diet, exercise, and sleep will increase your capacity to deal with stress.
This is the time to stay connected with family and friends and seek for support when you need it.
Mental health support is available from: