Code of Practice

Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice

The Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice (the Code) has been developed in consultation with beekeepers and governments to provide a framework for Australian beekeepers to use best-practice biosecurity measures.

The Code has been developed to incorporate fundamental biosecurity principles into the practices of all Australian beekeepers.

  • Training and planning
  • Reducing exposure of bees to pests and diseases
  • Controlling pests and diseases
  • Controlling the spread of undetected disease in an apiary
  • Keeping accurate records
  • Hive and equipment maintenance

Some sections of the Code are already mandatory under existing state and territory legislations. Some parts of the Code apply to all beekeepers; others apply only to beekeepers with 50 or more hives.

PLEASE NOTE: The Code relates to European honey bees managed in Australia. Australian native stingless bees are exempt from The Code.


Download the Code

Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice

The Code of Practice is also available in Greek, Arabic, Italian and Turkish


Video about The Code of Practice

Victorian Bee Biosecurity Officer Ally Driessen has recorded a video on the Code of Practice. This video is part of a broader series on B-Qual (Introduction and B-Qual Audit levels), which is available on YouTube.