Membership with the Queensland Beekeepers' Association Inc.

(Individual Membership with the QBA)

The Queensland Beekeepers’ Association or QBA for short, was established in 1886 for the main reason ‘to provide a means whereby Apiarists may be represented through a common organisation for the welfare of the industry’.

As the industry body for beekeepers in Queensland, QBA represents all beekeepers by liaising with government, including Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing, Department of Main Roads, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, local level councils and a range of other stakeholders. Issues that QBA have advocated for include various local councils who banned bees in backyards have been able to be persuaded to allow such. We have contributed to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries capability study where we advocated for more access to resources (such as vehicles) for the existing apiary officers, as well as for additional staff dedicated to the apiary section. We have made a submission to the Minister of National Parks, Sport and Racing to allow beekeeping to remain in existing National Park sites past 2024, which current legislation prohibits. Such a ban will devastate commercial beekeeping in Queensland and the ripple effects will be felt by hobbyists.

We make submissions to various inquiries to inform and influence better policies that will benefit the beekeeping industry at all levels.

• QBA also contributes funding to research various endemic pests and diseases. We were involved in the development of the Apithor strips. 
• QBA is currently contributing towards an external attractant trap for Small Hive Beetle. We have also initiated a feasibility trial towards an AFB odour detecting machine.
• More reasons why QBA is a relevant and important body to all beekeepers in Queensland include:
• Wide access to industry information
• Contacts at various levels of government and council
• Organising annual conference to obtain updated and relevant industry information
• Coordinating Honey Month, including resources
• Education at various school groups through AgConnect, Moo Baa Munch, Rural Discovery Day and other educational activities.
• Community presence at the Ekka each year to disseminate the importance bees play in our food sustainability and also the sweet taste of honey.

We present a common body for members of the media to contact for comment, and also for members of the public to ask questions and serve as a general ‘go to’ point.
Helping setup the National Queen breeding program which has identified which strain of bees suits your area.
QBA has been involved with some hands on training of QDAF staff.
We are involved in the National Bee Pest Program which detects exotic pests and diseases.

QBA is run by elected volunteered members from each of its branches. It is imperative that all beekeepers recognise the importance of QBA’s work for the benefit of everyone’s Queensland beekeeping field.

Come and join like-minded community and support the future of beekeeping in Queensland.

To apply simply identify your number of hives below and complete the registration process. Your application will be reviewed for approval by your nearest branch of the QBA or by the Management Committee.