Beekeeper permits

Varroa mite update - 21 September 2023

During the transition to management phase, the temporary pause on permits for movements from New South Wales will remain in place while the risks are assessed.

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.

A temporary pause is now in place on the processing of permits for hive and bee movements from New South Wales (NSW) while the risks associated with recent detections in the former NSW General Emergency Zone (GEZ) are assessed.

  • Permits will not be granted for bees (including queens, queen cells, bee colonies) and hives from NSW.
  • Permits to move beekeeping equipment and honey supers into Victoria from NSW will be considered under the ‘Additional apiary movement permit’ (see below).

Permits required for bee movements

For beekeepers with bees, hives, queen bees, used beekeeping equipment, pollen for bee feeding, or bee products (including honeycomb) in all other states and territories, permits for the movement into Victoria continue to be processed. A permit is required prior to entry into Victoria.

Additionally, permits are required for moving hives that are located in the former Victorian part of the Surveillance Eradication Zones (SEZs) – see below for more information.

Information on permits and conditions

For detailed information about permits and their conditions, please visit our Varroa mite FAQs page, specifically the Permits section of the page.

Your responsibility

It's essential to stay updated with current movement requirements before you move 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.

Contact us

If you have any questions or need assistance with permits, please feel free to reach out to us:

Your cooperation in adhering to these measures is greatly appreciated as we work together to protect our valuable beekeeping industry and the health of our bees.

Information for permits to move hives into Victoria

Registered beekeepers (with hives that have not been in NSW) may apply for a permit to move hives into Victoria. Permit applications will be assessed and permits may be issued if the applicant is able to meet specific training, hive testing and traceability requirements. Before applying for a permit, beekeepers should ensure they understand, and are able to fulfil specified permit conditions.

For more information about permits and permit conditions visit Varroa mite FAQs – ‘What restrictions are in place for bees, hives, used equipment and bee products moving into Victoria?’

Surveillance Emergency Zones Hive Movement Permits

As of 30 August 2023, new permits are available for beekeepers currently located in the Victorian part of the former SEZs, to facilitate exit or movement of hives within the zones.

Following the provision of a permit or permit variation, hives from within the former SEZs can be moved anywhere in Victoria or interstate (subject to the receiving state’s import requirements).

Learn more about Beekeeper Permit FAQs

Beekeeper without current hive permit

Apply for this permit if you are currently located in the former Surveillance Emergency Zones (SEZ) and you do not have a current permit for hive movement into Victoria.

Apply for this permit

Beekeeper with current hive permit

Apply for this permit if you are currently located in the former Emergency Zones (SEZ) and you have a current permit for hive movement into Victoria.

Apply for this permit

Bee and hive movement permits

Victorian Registered Beekeeper Permit to move hives from Interstate (single movement)

Apply for this permit

Victorian Registered Beekeeper Permit to move hives from Interstate (multiple movements)

Apply for this permit

Additional apiary movement permits

Permit to move honeycomb, unprocessed beeswax or pollen

Apply for this permit

Permit to move queen bees

Apply for this permit

Permit to move full honey supers only

Apply for this permit

Permit to move used equipment only

Apply for this permit

Permit to move extracted frames only

Apply for this permit

The following approval is required to be published online to enable Victoria to accept livestock and livestock products from NSW under the permit system.

Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2017

Regulation 53

APPROVAL

To: Persons who introduce into Victoria bees, bee products, pollen or used beekeeping fittings from an apiary that is under the laws of the State or Territory of the Commonwealth in which the apiary is located—

  1. in a quarantine area in respect of Varroosis (Varroa destructor); or
  2. in an area subject to restrictions on the movement of bees, bee products, pollen or beekeeping fittings due to Varroosis.

For the purposes of regulation 53 of the Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2017, I:

  1. am satisfied that the introduction of the bees, bee products, pollen or used beekeeping fittings into Victoria is unlikely to lead to the transmission of Varroosis from the bees, bee products, pollen or used beekeeping fittings to other livestock or humans; and
  2. approve the moving of bees, bee products, pollen or used beekeeping fittings from a State or Territory where Varroosis is present into Victoria, subject to the conditions of movement specified below.

This approval is valid from 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023.

Rosa Crnov
Chief Plant Health Officer, Biosecurity Victoria

Date: 30/06/2023

Page last updated: 21 Sep 2023