Beekeeping
Beekeeping can be an enjoyable hobby, producing a healthy nutritious product for home consumption. Beekeeping is low risk to the human population, however, can cause community concern, especially by neighbors. Beekeepers must take special care so their bees do not become a nuisance to neighbors, or even appear to be a problem. Talk to your neighbors before establishing a hive.
As part of the implementation of the Biosecurity Act 2019 (the Act), beekeeping is now considered a ‘regulated dealing’ and under the Act, a person must not engage in a regulated dealing unless they are registered. Therefore, registration is now compulsory for all Tasmanian commercial and recreational beekeepers. This requirement was formalised in new Biosecurity Regulations 2022 which came into effect on 2 November 2022.
Fast Facts
- You must register as a beekeeper in Tasmania if you keep bees commercially or for recreation.
- Using the BeeTAS online portal you can register or renew your beekeeper registration, as well as manage and maintain your apiary site information and beekeeping activities.
- As a registered beekeeper, you must comply with all conditions of registration including the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice. If you have more than 50 hives you must perform annual honey testing and provide a certification of compliance.
- If you have any questions about registering as a beekeeper in Tasmania, please email honeybee.biosecurity@nre.tas.gov.au
BeeTAS Online Portal
Biosecurity Tasmania has implemented BeeTAS to assist beekeepers with managing their registrations. BeeTAS can be accessed here
The online system allows beekeepers to:
- register or renew their registration;
- maintain their apiary site information;
- record inspection details, record hive purchases, disposals and hive movements; and
- upload training certification and laboratory results.
The Tasmanian Beekeepers Association’s “Urban Beekeeping Code of Practice” aims to ensure that the keeping of honey bees does not have a negative impact on people, property, domestic animals or native flora or fauna.