Beekeeper permits
Varroa mite update
Beekeepers who have moved hives under permit must continue to report any bee movements to Agriculture Victoria, regularly test bees for Varroa and follow the requirements of the Control Area Order and permits.
This page will continue to be updated as the transition to management plan progresses.
Permits required for movement of bees and bee products
Anyone bringing bees and bee products into Victoria from any state or territory needs a permit. The products includes
- hives
- queen bees
- used beekeeping equipment
- pollen for bee feeding, and
- bee products (including honeycomb)
Information for permits to move hives into Victoria
Beekeepers registered in any state or territory whose hives have only been in non Varroosis jurisdictions continuously for the last 24 months, may apply for a permit to move hives from a state that is free from Varroa into Victoria. Beekeepers should create a BeeMAX account if they do not already have one.
Permit applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Permits may be issued if the applicant meets
- specific training
- hive testing of all hives, up to 21 hives
- state compliance and
- traceability requirements.
Beekeepers whose hives have been in a Varroosis infested jurisdiction at any time in the last 24 months, may apply for a permit to move hives from a state that is not free from Varroa into Victoria.
Permit applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and permits issued if the applicant meets
- specific training
- hive testing of all hives, up to 64 hives
- state compliance and
- traceability requirements.
As the situation evolves, Victoria will continue to regularly reassess restrictions on the movement of hives, queens, bee products and used fittings.
Before applying for a permit, beekeepers should ensure they understand, and are able to fulfil specified permit conditions.
Information on permits and conditions
More information about permits and permit conditions is available under permits section of Varroa mite frequently asked questions.
Your responsibility
It is your responsibility to stay up to date with current movement requirements before moving your bees and related items. The health of our bee populations relies on your responsible actions.
Health certificates required
Remember that a health certificate must also be obtained for all movements of bees, bee products, and used fittings (beekeeping equipment) into Victoria. This step helps ensure the health and safety of our bee populations. Find the health certificate form and requirements on Moving bees interstate.
Contact us
If you have any questions or need assistance with permits, please feel free to reach out to us:
- Email: Honeybee.Permits@agriculture.vic.gov.au
- Phone: Customer Service Centre at 136 186
Your support in following these measures is greatly appreciated as we work together to protect our valuable beekeeping industry and the health of our bees.
Bee and hive movement permits
Permit to move hives from a state that is free from Varroa
Apply for this permit if you are a registered beekeeper, wanting to move hives from a state or territory that is free from Varroa mite into Victoria.
Your hives must not have spent any time in NSW, or any other Varroosis infested state, in the last 24 months.
Beekeepers should create a BeeMAX account if they do not already have one.
Apply nowPermit to move hives from a state that is not free from Varroa
Apply for this permit if
- you are a registered beekeeper,
- and your hives have been in NSW, or another Varroa infested state or territory, in the last 24 months
- and you are wanting to move them into Victoria.
Beekeepers should create a BeeMAX account if they do not already have one.
Apply nowApiary equipment movement permits
Permit to move full honey supers only
Apply for this permit if you are a Registered Beekeeper wanting to move full honey supers from all other states and territories into Victoria.
Apply nowPermit to move used equipment only
Apply for this permit if you are a Registered Beekeeper wanting to move used equipment from all other states and territories into Victoria.
Apply nowPermit to move extracted frames only
Apply for this permit if you are a Registered Beekeeper wanting to move extracted frames from all other states and territories into Victoria.
Apply nowHoney, honeycomb, wax and pollen movements
Permit to move honeycomb, unprocessed beeswax or pollen
Apply for this permit if you are a Registered Beekeeper wanting to move honeycomb, unprocessed beeswax or pollen from all other states and territories into Victoria.
Apply nowPermit to move unprocessed honey
Apply for this permit if you are a Registered Beekeeper wanting to move unprocessed honey from all other states and territories into Victoria.
Apply nowProcessed honey and wax
A permit is not required to move processed honey or wax into Victoria.
Processed honey is defined as; any honey that has undergone extraction, filtering to remove wax cappings and dead bees), decanting into clean containers and packaging in a facility which is inaccessible to bees.
Processed wax is defined as any wax that has undergone melting, filtering (to remove bees, brood, debris), rendering, packing into clean containers and packaging in a facility which is inaccessible to bees.
Queen bee movements
Moving queens from another state or territory into Victoria
Apply for this permit if you are a Registered Beekeeper breeding queens, wanting to move queens from another other state or territory into Victoria.
Apply for this permitSurveillance emergency zone hive movement permits
As of 30 August 2023, permits were available for beekeepers located in the Victorian part of former Surveillance Emergency Zones with epicentres at Euston and Balranald. These permits were developed to facilitate exit or movement of hives within the zones, and these movements are now complete. Permit holders must still continue to comply with permit requirements.
If you have questions regarding hives currently or previously in these zones, please contact honeybee.permits@agriculture.vic.gov.au