Official-source directory

Australian governance & biosecurity

National guidance plus current starting points for every state and territory.

Important: this directory helps you find the responsible authority; it is not legal advice or a substitute for registration, permits, current emergency orders, local council rules, food-business duties or direct instructions from a biosecurity officer. Source summaries were reviewed on 2 September 2026.

Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice

National best-practice framework covering registration, inspections, pest and disease management, Varroa control, traceability, training, hive maintenance and biosecurity records. Keep Code records for at least 3 years.

Australian Government beekeeper biosecurity hub

National reporting, training and biosecurity resources. Suspected exotic plant pests can be reported through the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

Biosecurity Act 2014 and Biosecurity Regulation 2016

Sets the general biosecurity obligation, hive registration and identification rules, hive requirements and controls for movements, restricted matter and apiary distances.

Legal requirements for beekeepers

Owners of one or more hives register as biosecurity entities, meet the general biosecurity obligation, identify hives, manage disease risks and keep required records. Registration is normally valid for 3 years.

Queensland bee pests and diseases

Current identification, surveillance and management information for Varroa and other bee pests and diseases under the general biosecurity obligation.

National minimum record set

The app is designed to retain the operational evidence called for by the national Code and stricter state rules.

Inspections

Date, colony strength, signs, pest/disease findings and arthropod detection method.

Actions

Pest and disease management, treatment product, batch, dose, dates and outcome.

AFB testing

Sampling method, collection date, testing body, reference and result.

Movements

Date, hive count or identity, origin, destination, operator and permit.

Introductions

Supplier, source, registration, health declaration, date and introduced material.

Training

Participant, course, provider, completion, certificate and expiry.