Why join the Queensland Beekeepers' Association? 

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 Environment and Science, Department of Main Roads and Transport, Department of Resources, local level councils and a range of other agricultural and industry dependent stakeholders.

The QBA continues to successfully represent industry across a wide range of dynamic challenges. Below are a small list of issues the QBA played a pivotal role in the amendment of policy and programs.

• The QBA has been successful in advocating for lifting bans on urban beekeeping with various local councils who banned bees.
• We continue to contribute through consultation to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, recently introducing a dedicated Bee Biosecurity officer into Qld to support the growing population of beekeepers in Queensland.
• We have made countless submissions and constant representation to the Minister of Environment and Science and to Queensland Cabinet Ministers to see beekeeping activities continue and remain in existing National Park sites past 2024 (current legislation excludes beekeeping activities and site permits post 31 December 2024). The QBA was able to successfully secure a commitment to extend access to Queensland National Park apiary sites for an addition 20-years. This legislation is to be introduced to Queensland Parliament in the current year. Such a ban will devastate commercial beekeeping in Queensland and the ripple effects will be felt by hobbyists.
• Border access provisions for the Queensland honey bee industry during 673 days of hard state border closures introduced through Government directives to reduce and limit the spread of COVID-19. QBA represented QLD honey bee sector daily at key stakeholder meetings, in turn providing a continual source of direct contact to support industry through its day to day operations, and support to Government during the height of the global health pandemic from 2020 until 2022 to maintain surety of supply chains.

Our goal is ultimately representative and advocative in nature. Through dedicated work and sustained effort, to better inform and influence more suitable and sustainable policies that will benefit the beekeeping industry at all levels into the future.

QBA also contributes funding to research various endemic pests and diseases. We were involved in the development of the Apithor strips. QBA has contributed in recent years towards an external attractant trap for Small Hive Beetle.

Why is the QBA an important body to all beekeepers in Queensland? 

• We provide wide access to industry information, experience, experts and connection to science.
• Our extensive network of contacts within Queensland Ministerial portfolios and Senior Government officials allow the QBA to represent industry at the highest Government level in QLD.
• On-time and up to date notifications of Biosecurity incursions and detections through our involvement with National Bee Pest Program which detects exotic pests and disease, and our representation on the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP), i.e. directly representing the Queensland honey bee industry during biosecurity incursions, detections and eradication programs.
• Exclusive member discounts to attend our annual State Conference and major industry events.
• Education extension programs and events conducted at various school groups through AgConnect, Moo Baa Munch, Rural Discovery Day and other educational activities.
• Our presence at the Ekka each year to disseminate the importance bees play in our food sustainability and also the sweet taste of honey.
• A reliable source of factual and accurate information to media outlets.
• Our involvement in the National Queen breeding program which has identified which strain of bees suits your area.
• QBA provides hands-on training of QDAF staff and Bee Biosecurity Officers during mock incursion exercises. 

QBA is run by a professional Management Committee elected by their peers, all of whom are QBA members volunteering their time away from their bees, business, and family life to represent the members of the QBA and greater honey bee industry. Each QBA branch elects a representative to sit on the QBA Management team, elevating regional concerns to the state discussion table.

QBA continues to have a proud and rich history representing the needs, interests, welfare and future of beekeeping in Queensland.

It is imperative that all beekeepers recognise the importance of QBA’s work for the benefit of everyone’s Queensland beekeeping field.

We welcome new members to come and join our likeminded community and support the future of beekeeping in Queensland.