Moving bees and hives

Queensland requires people to:

• notify an inspector about the presence of varroa mite
• not move varroa mite carriers into Queensland other than in particular circumstances.

Permits

You must hold a biosecurity instrument permit issued by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to move bees, beehives, used beekeeping equipment or bee products (including unprocessed honey) into Queensland if you are a:

• Queensland beekeeper who has been in the Victorian Surveillance Emergency Zone since 1 July 2023
• beekeeper coming into Queensland from states or territories where varroa mite has been found.

You must follow all permit conditions — penalties apply. The maximum penalty for a person not complying is a maximum of 2,000 penalty units or 1 year imprisonment.

Into Queensland

Queensland is a varroa mite biosecurity zone.

A movement control order is in place for beekeepers who have been in the Victorian Surveillance Emergency Zone since 1 July 2023.

Each state or territory has their own requirements for the movement of bees, bee products and used beekeeping equipment.

In addition to Queensland's permit conditions, you must follow movement control requirements in the states or territories that you are moving from and transiting through.

You can move bees, beehives, used beekeeping equipment or bee products (including unprocessed honey) into Queensland from other states or territories that are declared free from varroa mite, provided the hives and apiary equipment are quarantine-secured.

Quarantine-secured transport means preventing access and escape by bees while in transit. For example, covered in shade cloth or netting.

From states where varroa mite has been found

You must hold a Biosecurity Instrument Permit issued by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to move the following into Queensland from states or territories where varroa mite has been found:

• bees (including queens)
• beehives
• used beekeeping equipment
• bee products (including unprocessed honey).

Transiting through states where varroa mite has been found

If you're transiting through a state where varroa mite has been found, do not move any of the following through varroa mite eradication or surveillance zones:

• bees (including queens)
• beehives
• used beekeeping equipment
• bee products (including unprocessed honey).

You can transit through the state outside the varroa mite eradication or surveillance zones, as long as the hives and equipment are quarantined-secured.

Processed honey and processed beeswax

You do not need a permit to move processed honey and processed beeswax into Queensland if:

• honey has been extracted, filtered, strained or settled to remove wax cappings and dead bees
• beeswax has undergone melting, filtering (to remove bees, brood, and debris) and a rendering treatment before being packed
• it has been packed in a facility without bees
• the outside of the container, and any frames, pallets and packaging are free from honey or beeswax
• it is a quarantine-secured diagnostic honey sample for testing at a recognised diagnostic facility.

Australian native bees are not included in the restrictions.

Beekeeping equipment

Any beekeeping equipment that has been used in a state or territory where varroa mite has been found will require a Biosecurity Instrument Permit before moving into Queensland.

If you work in a state or territory where varroa mite has been found, we recommend using local equipment that remains there rather than taking your own equipment.

Used hives, supers or live bees

You need to apply for a Biosecurity Instrument Permit to move live bees (including queens) used hives, 'deadout' hives and hive parts for irradiation treatment, or supers into Queensland.

Used hives, 'deadout' hives, hive parts or supers that have originated from the New South Wales varroa mite Eradication Zone or Surveillance Zone are not permitted.

When completing the online form, under Biosecurity matter or carrier, select the relevant varroa mite carrier. If you are unable to apply online, call the Customer Service Centre 13 25 23 for help.

After you have submitted the application, a biosecurity officer will contact you to explain what you will need to do next.

Allow 3 to 5 working days for your application to be processed once received.

Once you have received your permit, you must comply with the conditions specified:

• Undertake a pre-departure inspection of the load to confirm that no live bees or apiary products (e.g. excess honey, or wax) remain in the load.
• Wrap the load in a manner that will prevent the entry or escape of bees at departure, during the journey and upon arrival at the treatment facility in Queensland.
• Transfer the load directly to the Queensland treatment facility for irradiation, or for supers, to a recognised or permitted facility for honey extraction.

These conditions are designed to minimise the risk of varroa mite being introduced into Queensland.

Biosecurity Queensland Inspectors will undertake compliance activities to ensure that permit conditions are being met.

They may inspect the consignment of used hives, or supers at any time during the movement. This may involve inspecting documentation, the load and your permit.

You must have a copy of your permit with the consignment.

Within Queensland

You do not need a permit to move bees, hives or equipment within Queensland.

You need to consider:

• the safety of the community
• road safety traffic laws
• the welfare of the bees.

You should carefully plan when you will stop to refuel and when you will travel through built-up areas because bright street lights and traffic signals can cause bees to escape.

To other states and territories

Check if there are movement controls or restrictions for your intended destination before moving bees or equipment:

• Victoria
• Tasmania
• South Australia
• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Western Australia

Transport bees safely

There are 3 methods for moving bees:

• open entrance
• closed entrance
• netted bee transport.

Open entrance transport

Open entrance transport is the most common way of moving beehives:

• load the beehives at dusk or at night after the bees have settled
• transport them during the night
• unload the hives either upon arrival at your destination or at first light the next day.

Closed entrance transport

You can move beehives using a conventional station wagon or sedan, if the beehive is fitted with adequate ventilation. This method allows you to move the hive a short distance and unload it without being stung.

Move beehives at night when temperatures have cooled and all bees are at home in the hive.

Netted bee transport

Beehives can be moved at any time using nets, however it's best to load beehives at dusk or night when temperatures are cooler.

Depending on your location, you can move netted beehives during daylight hours provided temperatures are not too high.

Secure the nets around the beehives so that the bees remain contained during transit.