Apiculture on public land

In the role of honeybees in assuring food security and agricultural exports via crop pollination services, we support and promote beekeeping on public land. We are responsible for the administration of apiary sites on public land and the development of public land apiculture (beekeeping) policy. The 2013 Apiculture (beekeeping) on public land policy and Apiculture (beekeeping) on public land standard operating procedure guide apiculture (beekeeping) on public land including parks, forests and reserves.

Public land apiculture beekeeping policy (PDF, 125.0 KB)
Public land apiculture beekeeping policy (accessible version) (DOCX, 46.2 KB)

Public land apiculture beekeeping standard operating procedure (PDF, 163.7 KB)
Public land apiculture beekeeping standard operating procedure (accessible version) (DOCX, 105.0 KB)

Licences for apiculture on public land

There are two types of bee sites - fees are applicable:

1.  Category One - bee forage area or bee range diameter = 1.6 km
2.  Category Two - bee forage area or bee range diameter = 3.2 km

All licences have a term of ten years.

DELWP Bee Site Licence (PDF, 325.0 KB)
DELWP Bee Site Licence (accessible version) (DOCX, 135.6 KB)

To identify potential bee sites beekeepers can use MapShareVic to view locations and sites. Individual site numbers can be obtained but you will need to contact the local DELWP office to find out if the site is taken or vacant.

For all enquiries about beekeeping on public land contact your local DELWP office.