Getting started in beekeeping is an exciting and rewarding hobby, and it is often quite confusing where to start.
I have tried to make it pretty simple and have broken it down into five key steps
1/ Registration as a Beekeeper (Victoria)
In Australia there are some regulatory requirements to keeping bees and these are slightly different in each state. In Victoria you are required to be registered as a beekeeper even with just one hive, and this is easy to do online and is free if you keep less than 5 hives.
Most people don’t realise that registration with the Department of Economical Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) is compulsory for all beekeepers in Victoria. It is important to be registered so you can be kept informed of any important information issued by the DEDJTR.
Victorian Beekeeping Registration/renewal fees at time of publishing are:
- 0 to 5 hives – free when registering online, $15 when sending in the registration form.
- 6 to 50 hives – $15
- 51+ hives – $0.30 per hive
(fees shown above are per annum, but payable for a 2-year period)
Online Registration/renewal as a Beekeeper
New registrations can be entered online for 0-5 hives. For new registrations for more than 5 hives you can download and print the application form and send it to; Bee Registrar, DEDJTR, PO Box 2500, Bendigo Delivery Centre, VIC 3554, Phone 1800 356 761
2/ Apiary Code of practice
The other main requirement is to ensure you comply with the Victorian Apiary code of practice. This code outlines simple things such as how many hives you are allowed on your block of land, and how close they can be to fences. To get a copy of the code it is a free PDF download available here http://www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/231519/Apiary-Code-of-Practice.pdf . Your local council will be responsible for enforcing the code and may have its own rules which it would be worth checking before you get started.
3/ Biosecurity manual for beekeepers
The Plant Health Australia Biosecurity manual is designed to provide information to anyone who keeps honey bees in Australia. All beekeepers, from commercial operators, to backyard enthusiasts, to people starting up their first hive, form part of the honey bee industry. Each and every beekeeper has a role to play in protecting honey bees from established and exotic pests. Incorporating these recommended biosecurity processes into day-to-day operations is the best way to protect individual beekeepers, regional biosecurity and the Australian honey bee industry as a whole.
4/ Learning how to manage your beehive
A colony of Honey Bees is an amazing complex super-organism, which requires a bit of work to manage and a few skills in order to maintain a strong, healthy and productive hive. Before you dive in and buy your bees I strongly recommend you do a course, there are many course providers online and I am sure you can find one near you. I also offer courses through CERES in Brunswick and there will also be information about up coming courses and events on the website events page and on my Facebook page
5/ Where do you buy honey bees?
Because of their natural reproductive cycle, new colonies of honey bees are usually only available each spring. That doesn’t mean you can’t get started in bees when it is not springtime – you can still join a club, and get some hands on experience with their hives so you are ready for next spring. I have a list of beekeeping clubs and associations here
If you are buying bees, make sure you get them from a known beekeeper and that they are clean and free from pests and disease.
I sell bees each spring as a nucleus hive, they are available as a 5 Frame nucleus beehive (corflute) complete with bees, brood and queen. you can find out more about them here
Good luck on your journey as a beekeeper – regards, Benedict