The Beekeepers Club Inc.

How to become a beekeeper?

WHY KEEP BEES?
There are as many answers to this question as there are beekeepers. Amongst their ranks you will find men and women of all ages and all backgrounds. The appeal of beekeeping is felt by those who could be described as the poorest to the richest, the simple minded to the highly intelligent. All find a fascination with the life of the bees working hard in a very orderly and disciplined society with one overriding objective - the survival of the group. For some beekeepers the reward of honey is compensation enough for the effort in managing the hive. For others, more is needed in the form of constantly developing their knowledge in the science of bee breeding and development. For a few, the aim is to produce as much honey as possible for profit.

WHERE TO START?
The starting point is gaining basic knowledge about beekeeping before jumping in. Many people get the cart before the horse. They get a hive of bees, suffer a few frightening experiences with them because of silly actions and end up dumping the bees at the first opportunity. A good beekeeper evolves in the same way that a good sportsperson or tradesperson evolves. It starts with basic knowledge which is built upon by growing experience and training. The end result is a capable and confident person, able to handle the role involved.

There are a few steps which, if followed, will enable you to become a beekeeper.
1. Join a beekeepers club.

2. Learn the principles of beekeeping through reading and learning in the club. You will become aware of the legal aspects of beekeeping, rights and obligations.

3. Get practical experience with bees through the club and a training course.

4. Get your own beehives.

How to Get Started & Legal Requirements
Before you get started as a beekeeper you need to be aware of the rules, regulations and obligations associated with the keeping of bees. For a number of very valid reasons keeping bees is not simply a matter of hosting bee colonies in boxes and put them in your backyard or somewhere else. As we are living in a society we need to consider other people in our society and take responsibility for everything we do. The rules and regulations associated with beekeeping are not difficult to understand and follow. The rules and regulations vary in the different states of Australia. The Victorian Department of Primary Industries has issues Agriculture notes "Ag Notes" for the various agricultural sectors, also for Beekeeping - valid for Victoria.

AG1100 - Beekeeping and the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 - explains the basic rules, regulations and obligations for beekeepers.

AG1240 - Safe Beekeeping Practices - explains how to handle bees to make it more enjoyable.

Apiary Code of Practice - issued by the Department of Sustainability and Environment also explains the basic rules, regulations and obligations for beekeepers.

AG1146 - Hobby Beekeeping - assistance for the hobby beekeeper.

Registration of Beekeepers
All beekeepers must be registered with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI). The cost per annum is $15 for up to 60 hives, a really good deal considering that sampling of your honey for American Foul Brood (AFB) is included as well as assistance should you ever suffer an outbreak of AFB among your hives. The main purpose of being registered and having the honey sampled every year is to prevent the spreading of diseases and pests harmful to bees. So please, help preventing the spread of diseases by registering and have your honey sampled every year.
To obtain your registration number you can contact the DPI at: Bees Registrar, DPI, Box 2500 Bendigo Delivery Centre, VIC 3554.
Phone 1800 356 761 or download the form: Application for Registration as a Beekeeper


Hive Density
When keeping bees, one important consideration is the interaction between your neighbours and your bees. The Apiary Code of Practice has defined hive density limits to minimise the risk of conflict between people and honeybees. As a considerate beekeeper you should stick to the limit to avoid trouble with your neighbours and the council.

The following Hive Density Table gives a quick overview:

Obtaining the Knowledge
When you are new to beekeeping we highly recommend joining a beekeeper club, rather than experiencing it all on your own.

Even the best book does not have the answers to all your questions. It often requires the practical component of experienced beekeepers. By joining a beekeeper club you have the support from other beekeepers and in most cases access to a library of books and other media regarding beekeeping, as well as beekeeping courses.

For a list of Beekeeper Clubs in Victoria (with a focus on Melbourne) see Beekeeper Clubs

Disposal of Hives
And should you no longer be able to keep bees, for whatever reason, you need to inform the Department of Primary Industries about the disposal of your hives. Notice of Disposal of Hives - Don't just leave them somewhere and abandon them, as it occasionally happens.