Beekeeper registration now compulsory

Tasmanian beekeepers are invited to register their beekeeping activities before 31 March 2023. 

There is no cost to register and registration will remain free for the first two years. Registration is compulsory for all Tasmanian commercial and recreational beekeepers.

Registration is a valuable tool to help protect Tasmania’s bee population, providing the first line of defence against biosecurity threats like varroa mite. 

Through registration, Biosecurity Tasmania are better able to manage and limit the spread of potential diseases.

As part of the implementation of the Biosecurity Act 2019 (the Act), beekeeping is now considered a 'regulated dealing'. 

Under the Act, a person must not engage in a regulated dealing unless they are 'registered'. 

This requirement has been formalised in new Biosecurity Regulations 2022 which came into effect on 2 November.

There are new conditions associated with registration, meaning any Tasmanian beekeepers currently registered voluntarily with Biosecurity Tasmania will need to re-register using the new online form by 31 March 2023. 

Until the new registration is received, Biosecurity Tasmania will consider those existing voluntary registrations as meeting the new compulsory requirement.

Those beekeepers will be provided with an interim registration certificate.