Honey bees
Honey bees play an essential role in agriculture, not only producing honey and beeswax but also pollinating a vast number of food crops.
Beekeeping is a unique primary industry, depending on native flora for about 80% of its production. Nectar and pollen are produced seasonally and beekeepers must often move their hives large distances to be successful.
The department supports the apiary industry with extension officers, research scientists, diagnostic laboratories, beekeeping courses and regulatory services.
Varroa mite
Varroa mite is now considered established in NSW. A Transition to Management plan was approved in February 2024 which plans to increase resilience and minimise ongoing impacts of varroa mite naturalisation across Australia's bee and pollination-dependent industries.
This tool will walk you through the decisions you need to make to determine how best to manage Varroa mites in your hive. Using a series of questions about threshold, types of treatment, the presence of brood and honey supers, and the colony development phase, the tool will provide you with a range of available cultural, mechanical and chemical treatment options based on your answers.
BPASS: NSW's public apiary sites portal
BPASS is NSW Government’s online system for Beekeeper’s public apiary sites. Registered beekeepers can view available apiary sites, apply for permits or licenses for sites and manage their sites online.
Visit the BPASS page for further details.
Download the BPASS QuickGuide - How to use BPASS (PDF, 5720.95 KB)
Support for beekeepers affected by natural disasters
Fire or flood affected beekeepers can call the Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647 for emergency assistance.
Advice for beekeepers impacted by flooding
A summary of the disaster support available to primary producers including beekeepers is available in the here - Natural Disaster Assistance Guide for Primary Industries
Australian Honey Bee Industry Code of Practice
All NSW beekeepers need to adhere to the Australian Honey Bee Industry Code of Practice as a condition of registration. Beekeepers must meet minimum standards related to:
- Inspections
- Disease management and reporting
- Hive construction, branding and maintenance
- Record keeping.
Visit Beekeeper registration for more information on how we are supporting industry to make the change.
