Welcome to the QBA Varroa mite portal 

This portal has been specifically designed as an information portal to support industry during the response to Varroa destructor detected in the Port of Newcastle on the 22nd of June 2022.

Our Admin team will endeavour to publish updates relating to the incursion as frequently as physically possible.

QBA members will continue to receive email updates via our dedicated communication channels.

If you are interested in supporting the QBA by becoming a member, please click here to complete your application for membership. Once you have completed your application and settled your membership invoice, you will be automatically added to our members communication list. 

To report varroa mite detections in Queensland 

Call: Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23

or the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881 

Report your varroa mite surveillance

to the Bee 123 portal 

Bee 123 portal 

Complete varroa surveillance and report your results to the Bee 123 portal is a critical activity that all beekeepers across Queensland must undertake every 16 weeks. 

To learn more about reporting your results, please click on the attachment below to download a copy of the how to guide for the Bee 123 portal. 

DAF factsheet - how to access and use the Bee 123 online form v1.0.pdf

Alternatively, click on the gallery to the left ⬅️ to view the fact sheet. 

Want to learn more about varroa mite? Click on the attachment below to download a copy of the FAQ about Varroa mite. 

DAF factsheet - varroa mite frequently asked questions v1.0 electronic.pdf

Look for varroa, check for varroa and report your results. 

Click here to report your results. 

Transition to Management (T2M) More Information 

On the 9th of February 2024, the National Management Group approved the transition to management plan (T2M) for the honey bee and pollination dependent industries. We encourage all beekeepers to learn more about the T2M process in Queensland. Click here to learn more. 

Click here to download a copy of the 'Detailed Summary of the National Varroa Mite Response Plan V4.0

News & Updates

Please use the blog post below to access a time line of all communications relating to the varroa destructor detection and response. 

  • 24 October 2022 6:30 PM | Anonymous

    I am pleased to advise the recording of the recent Biosecurity Queensland webinar 'Varroa mite update- applying for a biosecurity instrument permit and reporting through Bee 123' has now been uploaded to the Biosecurity Queensland YouTube channel. 

    If you missed the webinar (broadcast on the 11th October 2022) we strongly encourage you to click the link here to watch the webinar at a time suitable to you. 

    Participants on the night were invited to put questions forward in the live Q&A. Unfortunately due to time constraints not all questions could be answered on the night. QBA asked that all questions submitted to the live Q&A were answered and published to the DAF E-hub website.

    If you are interested in reading questions from industry to government I urge you to visit the link by clicking here.  

    Kind regards,

    Jo Martin 

    QBA State Secretary


  • 18 October 2022 11:30 AM | Anonymous

    The QBA weekly varroa mite update for the week ending 12th October 2022 can be accessed via the attachment below.

    We continue to actively encourage all beekeepers to complete varroa mite surveillance checks as a matter of priority and ensure all results are reported to the Bee 123 portal.

    A Movement control order remains in place restricting the movement of bees/hives/carriers of varroa into Queensland. For more information on movement restrictions please visit the DAF Engagement Hub by clicking here

    Kind regards,

    Jo Martin 

    QBA State Secretary


  • 10 October 2022 12:31 PM | Anonymous

    Biosecurity Queensland will be hosting another webinar focused on the current surveillance operations currently occurring in response to the Varroa detection in NSW. 

    The webinar is scheduled to take place at 7pm, Tuesday 11th October (tomorrow). The live webinar will cover the following topics:

    • Queensland situation update
    • Applying for a biosecurity instrument permit to move bee equipment into Queensland 
    • Reporting surveillance data to the Bee 123 online survey form. 

    There's no need to register to attend this virtual event, just click the link here to join in on the night or watch the recording of the webinar at a later time via the Biosecurity Queensland YouTube playlist. Click here to view past webinar recordings.

    There will be a live question and answer session included within the webinar, however should you have a particular question relating to any of the three topics covered, please email your question to Queensland Bee Biosecurity Officer Dr Dave Schlipalius using the email address dave.schlipalius@daf.qld.gov.au 

    We actively encourage all members to dial in and view this live webinar. Please feel free to share this email with anyone you see fit to assist the QBA in communicating this message more broadly. 

    Kind regards,

    Jo Martin 

    QBA State Secretary


  • 07 October 2022 2:00 PM | Anonymous

    The QBA weekly varroa mite update for the week ending 6th October 2022 can be accessed via the link below.

    We continue to actively encourage all beekeepers to complete varroa mite surveillance checks as a matter of priority and ensure all results are reported to the Bee 123 portal.

    A Movement control order remains in place restricting the movement of bees/hives/carriers of varroa into Queensland. For more information on movement restrictions please visit the DAF Engagement Hub by clicking here

    Kind regards,

    Jo Martin. 

  • 04 October 2022 11:00 AM | Anonymous

    The QBA weekly varroa mite update for the week ending 28th September 2022 can be accessed via the link below.

    Please note, over the past week a number of surveillance reporting deadlines within Biosecurity Queensland have changed and as a result the updates will be issued on a Wednesday in the future. 

    We continue to actively encourage all beekeepers to complete varroa mite surveillance checks as a matter of priority and ensure all results are reported to the Bee 123 portal.

    A Movement control order remains in place restricting the movement of bees/hives/carriers of varroa into Queensland. For more information on movement restrictions please visit the DAF Engagement Hub by clicking here

    Kind Regards, 

    Jo Martin. 

  • 27 September 2022 3:30 PM | Anonymous

    The response to eradicate varroa mite in NSW is now entering the next important phase. Eradication of varroa from wild European honey bee colonies located within the eradication zones is the next point of focus in the response program. 

    To learn more about this critical next step in the effort to eradicate varroa, please click on the attachment below. 

    Regular updates on the varroa mite response operation can be found by visiting the link below. 

    Kind regards,

    Jo Martin 

    QBA State Secretary


  • 21 September 2022 6:30 PM | Anonymous

    Please find attached below the weekly varroa mite situation update from the QBA with key points from Biosecurity Queensland. 

    Should you have any questions in relation to the update, please contact me via email. 

    Kind regards,

    Jo Martin 

    QBA State Secretary


  • 13 September 2022 3:23 PM | Anonymous

    In an effort to condense and streamline information relating to the response to the varroa mite detection in NSW, the QBA will now be producing a weekly update to all members and our affiliate clubs. 

    The updates will predominantly be from a Queensland perspective, highlighting our ongoing work to protect Queensland from varroa, and a focus on extension and preparedness measures we continue to work on should we see a detection in Queensland. 

    Please click on the attachment below to read the latest weekly update.

    QBA VD Update to Members 09092022.pdf

    Kind regards,

    Jo Martin 

    QBA State Secretary


  • 07 September 2022 7:00 PM | Anonymous

    Please find below an essential update from Biosecurity Queensland relating to the work currently underway to keep Queensland free from Varroa mite. 

    Biosecurity Queensland - Update 07092022.pdf

    We actively encourage all QBA members and members of affiliate clubs to undertake mite surveillance checks now and report their findings (including negative results) to Biosecurity Queensland through the Bee 123 app. Beekeepers can access the app by clicking on the following link. Bee 123

    Beekeepers are also encouraged to visit and become familiar with the DAF Engagement Hub. This information portal provides regular updates to beekeepers as we migrate our way through the dynamic situation we find ourselves in. To visit the hub please click on the following link https://daf.engagementhub.com.au/varroa-mite

    On a final note, please ensure you reach out for support, assistance or direction if you have been directly or indirectly impacted as a result of the detection of varroa. We are here to help. 

    All the best,

    Jo Martin 

    QBA State Secretary


  • 29 August 2022 5:17 PM | Anonymous

    New permit arrangements are in place in Victoria for the movement of hives, queens, used beekeeping equipment and a range of other bee related products into Victoria from varroa free states and territories. 

    Please note, the new permit arrangements do not cover the movement of hives, queens or other related products at this point in time. We encourage members to read the update from Agriculture Victoria below. 

    Update from Agriculture Victoria - Published 28th August 2022.

    Beekeeper permits

    Update: From 23 August, a permit is required for anyone bringing bees, hives, queen bees, used beekeeping equipment, pollen for bee feeding, and bee products, including honeycomb, into any part of Victoria from any state or territory.

    Used equipment (including extracted frames/empty supers) and full honey supers can enter Victoria/Sunraysia from NSW provided they are items owned by Victorian beekeepers and have spent no time since 1 January 2022 in the New South Wales Eradication (red) or Surveillance (purple) Zones. Visit NSW Varroa mite emergency response for more information.

    Used equipment (including extracted frames/empty supers) and full honey supers from other states are permitted provided they have spent no time since 1 January 2022 in the New South Wales Eradication (red) or Surveillance (purple) Zones.

    Honeycomb, unprocessed beeswax and pollen for feeding bees can enter Victoria/Sunraysia from any state (including NSW), provided they have spent no time since 1 January 2022 in the New South Wales Eradication (red) or Surveillance (purple) Zone.

    Application for hives and queen bees from all states except NSW will be assessed.

    Permits will not be granted for bees, hives, queens, escorts and queen cells from New South Wales.

    For more information relating to the movement restrictions and permit conditions, please click the link below. 

    Kind regards,


    Jo Martin 

    QBA State Secretary

Please click on the logo of the agencies/association below to access latest updates. 




Social Media Updates

Varroa mite Educational Videos 

What is Varroa mite? 

Varroa mite Surveillance & Monitoring Techniques

Monitoring for Varroa Explained

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Explained

Useful Resources for Additional Information 

Educational Information for all Beekeepers

Use the BeeAware website for educational information on varroa.

Use the Professional Beekeepers website for articles on varroa.
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