Beekeeping (apiary) permits for national parks, conservation parks and resources reserves

Permitting hub

Online Services is the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation's permitting system for permits and authorities issued on Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service managed areas.

Permit and authority holders, and applicants can use Online Services to:

  • manage your authority
  • submit an application for a new authority
  • submit renewals, amendments and returns
  • access all your documents in 1 place.

To place beehives in a national park, conservation park or resources reserve managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, you must hold an apiary permit for an available apiary site.

Apiary activities in protected areas are governed by the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Biosecurity Act 2014.

Permit requirements

To conduct beekeeping activities in parks and reserves in Queensland, you must:

An apiary permit can be granted for a maximum of 5 years.

Steps to take before you apply for a permit

Check if an apiary site is available

View the online apiary site map to check for site availability.

Applying for an apiary permit

Site access

The accessibility of apiary sites on the apiary site map can vary greatly and may be affected by a range of factors including, but not limited to:

  • annual wet weather, park management or safety closures
  • limited site access including limited to four-wheel drive vehicles
  • differing site size, site gradient and vegetation type
  • significant vegetation regrowth over the site and access.

It is recommended that an on-ground site inspection is made prior to submission of a permit application to ensure the site meets your needs.

Submit your application through Online Services.

Learn more about Online Services and access the user guides.

Fees for beekeeping on protected areas (effective 1 July 2023)

Permit term Standard fee per site
Up to 6 months $105.40
Up to 1 year $157.20
Up to 2 years $283.20
Up to 3 years $401.40
Up to 4 years $504.00
Up to 5 years $588.00
Transfer of apiary permit $71.30

Placing hives in a park or reserve

You must notify the department at least 48 hours prior to placing your hives or undertaking clearing of a site. Relocation of sites must not occur without local ranger approval. To notify the department, email parkaccess@des.qld.gov.au for more information.

Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, you must be aware of and adhere to the minimum distance required between hives in certain cases. Distance between hives supports commercial beekeepers and allows them to work their hives without robbing.

Hives must be identified as per the Biosecurity Act 2014. It is recommended that all hives are branded with your hive identification number (HIN) as proof of ownership.

Sites must not exceed an area of 600m2 and not contain more than 150 hives.

All equipment brought to the permit area, including any equipment used as a smoker, must be maintained to avoid a fire threat. Use of a lit smoker must be contained within the permit area and be completely extinguished after use.

Renewing permits

To renew a permit, you can submit your application through Online Services 40 business days before the expiry of your current permit. Once a permit has expired, the site may be available for other apiarists to apply.

An automatic email reminder will be sent to notify you when permit renewals are due and another when the permit expires. You are responsible for ensuring your beekeeping activities are covered by the appropriate permits as required by the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

Apiary site map

An online apiary site map shows the distribution of apiary sites and the availability status of each site. Use the apiary site map to search for an available apiary site by typing the name of a park or reserve in the search bar, or by zooming in and dragging the map to search for available sites (shown in green) across all areas.

Search the apiary site map.

Email parkaccess@des.qld.gov.au if you have any questions.