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For backyard and hobby beekeepers · Updated April 2026

Selling Honey From Home

A simple, state-by-state guide for Aussie stall owners

If you've got a couple of hives in the backyard and more honey than your family can eat, this guide is for you. Selling honey in Australia means you need two things: beekeeper registration (for biosecurity) and food business notification (for food safety). The rules differ by state, but most are straightforward. We've broken it down so you know exactly what to do before you put a jar at the gate or list on SideStall.

1. Register as a beekeeper

Every state requires beekeeper registration — even for one hive. This is about biosecurity, not food safety.

2. Notify your council

Selling honey makes you a food business. You need to register with or notify your local council before you start.

3. Label your jars properly

Every jar needs your name, address, net weight, lot ID, and country of origin. A Nutrition Information Panel is required unless you only sell from home.

How to use this guide

Find your state. Read the box. Do what it says, in order. Most beekeeper registrations are free or cheap. The food business notification is usually separate and handled by your local council. The whole process typically takes an afternoon.

The things every Aussie honey seller must do

✓ Register as a beekeeper with your state agriculture department

This is a biosecurity requirement, not food safety. It exists so authorities can contact you during a disease outbreak like American Foulbrood (AFB). Every state requires it — no exceptions, even for one hive.

✓ Notify your local council you're a food business

Selling honey — even at the farm gate — makes you a food business under your state's Food Act. You need to register with or notify your local council. Honey is low-risk, so this is usually simple and inexpensive.

✓ Label every jar correctly

FSANZ requires: your name and street address, product name, net weight in grams, lot identification (e.g. extraction date), and country of origin. A Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) is required unless you only sell from your own premises.

✓ Report notifiable diseases

American Foulbrood (AFB) is notifiable in every state. If you suspect it, report it to your state agriculture department within 48 hours. Infected hives must be destroyed.

Quick comparison: which state are you in?

State Beekeeper reg. Reg. period Cost to start
South AustraliaPIRSA1 yearFree (<5 hives)
New South WalesNSW DPI2 years$54–$90
VictoriaAgriculture VIC2 yearsFree (until Sep 2027)
QueenslandBiosecurity QLD3 yearsFree (hobbyist)
Western AustraliaDPIRD3 years$83 + $50/yr levy
TasmaniaBiosecurity TAS2 yearsFree
ACTACT Biosecurity3 yearsFree
Northern TerritoryNT Agriculture2 yearsContact dept

South Australia

SA

Free for small hobbyists. Annual renewal — the only state that doesn't give you at least two years.

The short version

PIRSA (Biosecurity SA) handles beekeeper registration under the Livestock Act 1997. Free if you have fewer than 5 hives. You also need to notify your local council that you're a food business — that's free too. Label your jars and you're selling.

What you need to do

  1. Step 1. Register as a beekeeper with PIRSA. Complete the Beekeeper Registration and Hive Identification Code Form. You'll get a unique hive ID code that must be displayed on your hives.
  2. Step 2. Notify your local council you're a food business. Under Section 86 of the Food Act 2001, you must notify before you start selling. Free, no fee.
  3. Step 3. Label your jars. Your name, street address, "Honey" (or floral variety), net weight, lot ID (e.g. extraction date), country of origin. Add a Nutrition Information Panel if you sell beyond your own premises.
  4. Step 4. Set a calendar reminder for renewal. SA is the only state with annual beekeeper registration. Every other state gives you 2–3 years.

What it costs

Under 5 hives: free. 5+ hives: $52.50/year plus $1 per hive (SA Apiary Industry Fund contribution). Council food notification: free.

Useful links

Heads up: SA is consulting on making the national Biosecurity Code of Practice mandatory. This would require regular hive inspections, record keeping, and AFB testing for larger operations. Keep an eye on the PIRSA website for updates.

New South Wales

NSW

Mandatory Biosecurity Code compliance. Ground zero for Varroa mite — extra monitoring obligations.

The short version

Register with NSW DPI ($54–$90 online for 2 years), notify your local council about your food business, and comply with the mandatory Biosecurity Code of Practice. NSW has legislated the Code, so hive inspections, record keeping, and disease reporting are legal requirements, not just best practice.

What you need to do

  1. Step 1. Register as a beekeeper with NSW DPI. Apply online via the BFS Portal or Service NSW. Recreational beekeepers pay $54 online (10% discount). Valid for 2 years.
  2. Step 2. Comply with the Biosecurity Code of Practice. Part B applies to all beekeepers: minimum 3 hive inspections per year (at least 3 months apart), record keeping, hive branding, and disease reporting. Part C adds AFB honey testing and training for 20+ hives.
  3. Step 3. Monitor for Varroa mite. All NSW beekeepers must monitor and report. Hive testing results must be reported to DPI every 16 weeks.
  4. Step 4. Notify your local council you're a food business. No specific food business licence is required for honey — it's not a high-risk food.
  5. Step 5. Label your jars correctly. Standard FSANZ requirements apply.

What it costs

$54–$90 for 2-year beekeeper registration (depending on category, cheaper online). Council food notification is typically free or a small admin fee.

Useful links

Heads up: NSW is where Varroa mite was first detected in Australia (June 2022). Eradication was abandoned in September 2023, and the transition-to-management program wound up in February 2026. Varroa is now a permanent part of NSW beekeeping. Pyrethroid resistance has been confirmed in northern NSW (January 2026). Check the DPI Varroa page regularly — this situation is evolving fast.

Victoria

VIC

Free beekeeper registration until September 2027. But council food business fees are the biggest hidden cost.

The short version

Register via BeeMAX (currently free through September 2027 under the Drought Support Package), register your food business with your local council as Class 3 (low-risk), and keep biosecurity records. Victoria has legislated the Biosecurity Code, so record keeping is a legal requirement.

What you need to do

  1. Step 1. Register as a beekeeper via BeeMAX (bees.agriculture.vic.gov.au). Currently free. Valid for 2 years. You must notify the Bees Registrar within 7 days if hives are sold, given away, or disposed of.
  2. Step 2. Register your food business with your local council. Honey is classified as Class 3 (low-risk). You don't need a formal food safety program or Food Safety Supervisor. Annual registration fee varies by council — typically $300–$500/year.
  3. Step 3. Keep biosecurity records. Victoria legislated the Code in 2019. Use BeeMAX's electronic diary or your own records. Inspections, treatments, and hive movements must be documented.
  4. Step 4. Label your jars correctly. Standard FSANZ requirements apply.

What it costs

Beekeeper registration: free (until September 2027). Normal fees: free for ≤5 hives, $30 for 6–50 hives, 60c/hive for 51+. Council food business registration: ~$300–$500/year (varies by council).

Useful links

Heads up: Victoria's council food business registration fee ($300–$500/year) is the biggest ongoing cost for hobby honey sellers. If you're only selling a few jars from a couple of hives, do the maths before you register — it may not be economical. Some councils offer reduced fees for very small operations, so it's worth asking.

Queensland

QLD

Free beekeeper registration for hobbyists. Food business licensing varies by council — some exempt honey entirely.

The short version

Register as a biosecurity entity with Biosecurity Queensland (free for hobbyists, valid 3 years). Unlike QLD's strict egg regime, honey is not regulated by Safe Food Production Queensland. Your food business obligations are handled by your local council, and some councils may not require a licence for honey at all. Check with yours.

What you need to do

  1. Step 1. Register as a Registrable Biosecurity Entity (RBE) with Biosecurity Queensland. Complete the RBE application form for bees. Free for hobby beekeepers (those not claiming primary producer status on their tax return). Valid for 3 years.
  2. Step 2. Get your Hive Identification Number (HIN). Mark at least 1 in every 50 hives with your HIN.
  3. Step 3. Check with your local council about food business licensing. Some councils require a licence, others exempt honey as a low-risk product. Contact your council directly — there's no blanket state rule.
  4. Step 4. Meet your General Biosecurity Obligation (GBO). Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, you must ensure your activities don't spread pests or diseases. Follow the national Biosecurity Code of Practice to satisfy this.
  5. Step 5. Label your jars correctly. Standard FSANZ requirements apply.

What it costs

Beekeeper registration: free for hobbyists. Council food business licence (if required): typically $100–$300/year.

Useful links

Heads up: QLD's food business requirements for honey are confusingly unclear compared to their very strict egg regime. Honey is not regulated by Safe Food QLD (which covers eggs, meat, dairy, seafood). Some councils say you need a food business licence, others say honey is exempt. Always check with your specific council before you start selling.

Western Australia

WA

Most expensive state for hobbyists — compulsory APC levy on top of registration. 7-year record retention.

The short version

Register with DPIRD ($82.57 for 3 years), pay the annual APC (Agricultural Produce Commission) beekeeper levy ($50 base + $1 per hive), register your food business with your local council, brand your hives, and keep records for 7 years. WA is the most expensive state for hobby beekeepers because of the compulsory levy.

What you need to do

  1. Step 1. Register as a beekeeper with DPIRD. Apply online via the Brands Portal or download the form. $82.57 for 3 years.
  2. Step 2. Pay the annual APC levy. $50 base plus $1 per hive in production. Due by 30 September each year. There is no exemption for hobby beekeepers.
  3. Step 3. Brand all hives with your registered brand within 7 days of acquisition. Letters and numerals must be at least 19mm height.
  4. Step 4. Register your food business with your local council. Contact your shire or council's Environmental Health Services.
  5. Step 5. Keep records of apiary sites, movements, sales, and introductions for 7 years. This is the longest retention period of any state.
  6. Step 6. Label your jars correctly. Standard FSANZ requirements apply.

What it costs

~$133–$140 in year 1 ($82.57 registration + $50 APC base + $1/hive). ~$51+/year ongoing (APC levy). Plus council food business registration fee (varies by council).

Useful links

Heads up: WA is currently Varroa-free and has strict biosecurity import restrictions. Be very careful about bringing any bees, hives, or equipment into the state. On the cost side, even with just 2 hives you're paying ~$52/year in levies before you sell a single jar.

Tasmania

TAS

Free registration but mandatory online biosecurity training — the only state that requires it for all beekeepers.

The short version

Register via BeeTAS (free, valid 2 years), complete the mandatory "Biosecurity for Beekeepers" online training course, notify your local council about your food business, and label your jars. Compliance with the national Biosecurity Code is a condition of registration.

What you need to do

  1. Step 1. Register as a beekeeper via BeeTAS (beetas.tas.gov.au) or contact Biosecurity Tasmania at (03) 6165 3777. Free. Valid for 2 years.
  2. Step 2. Complete the mandatory online biosecurity training course. This is a condition of registration — no other state requires formal training for all beekeepers.
  3. Step 3. If you have 20+ hives, submit annual honey samples for AFB testing through the Animal Health Laboratory and provide a Declaration of Compliance with the Code.
  4. Step 4. Register your food business with your local council under the Food Act 2003. Honey is low-risk.
  5. Step 5. Label your jars correctly. Standard FSANZ requirements apply.

What it costs

Beekeeper registration: free. Council food business registration: varies by council (low-risk, typically $100–$300/year). AFB lab testing costs apply if 20+ hives.

Useful links

Heads up: Complete the mandatory biosecurity training course early — it's a condition of your registration and you can't legally keep bees without it. Also, Tasmania's island biosecurity is strict — importing bees or equipment has significant requirements.

Australian Capital Territory

ACT

Free registration, 3-year renewal. Brand new 2025 biosecurity legislation.

The short version

Register with ACT Biosecurity (free, valid 3 years) under the new Biosecurity Act 2023 and Biosecurity Regulations 2025. Register your food business with Access Canberra. If you're already registered as a beekeeper in NSW, you may be exempt from ACT registration.

What you need to do

  1. Step 1. Register with ACT Biosecurity. Apply online via the ACT Government forms portal. Free. Valid for 3 years. Processed within 30 days.
  2. Step 2. Only frame hives are permitted — no top-bar or log hives.
  3. Step 3. Register your food business with Access Canberra. Fees apply (vary by category).
  4. Step 4. Keep records of hive movements, sales, and disposal. Report notifiable diseases (AFB, Varroa, exotic bee species) to ACT Biosecurity or the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline (1800 084 881).
  5. Step 5. Label your jars correctly. Standard FSANZ requirements apply.

What it costs

Beekeeper registration: free. Food business registration via Access Canberra: varies by category.

Useful links

Heads up: The ACT's Biosecurity Regulation 2025 is brand new legislation. One unusual rule: feeding honey to honey bees is prohibited (to prevent disease transmission). If you live near the NSW border and are already NSW-registered, you may be exempt from ACT registration — confirm with ACT Biosecurity first.

Northern Territory

NT

Register with NT Agriculture, complete mandatory training within 6 months, and notify your council.

The short version

Register your hives with the NT Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (2-year registration), complete mandatory biosecurity and disease management training within 6 months of registering, register your food business with your local council, and label your jars.

What you need to do

  1. Step 1. Register your hives with the NT Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Complete the NT Beekeeper Registration Form and submit by email to honeybee@nt.gov.au. You'll receive a Hive Registration Code (HRC) that must be displayed on all hives (minimum 20mm height).
  2. Step 2. Complete mandatory biosecurity and disease management training within 6 months of initial registration.
  3. Step 3. Conduct minimum 4 hive inspections per year. Keep records of inspections, treatments, and hive movements. Notify the Department of apiary movements within 7 days.
  4. Step 4. Register your food business under the Food Act 2004 with your local council or the NT Department of Health.
  5. Step 5. Label your jars correctly. Standard FSANZ requirements apply.

What it costs

Beekeeper registration fee: not publicly listed (contact the department). Food business registration with council: varies.

Useful links

Heads up: The NT has the fewest beekeepers of any jurisdiction, so information can be harder to find online. The 6-month mandatory training requirement after initial registration is unique — make sure you complete it. If you can't find clear info on your council's website, just call them.

A few last things worth knowing

Two registrations, not one

Unlike egg selling, honey requires two separate registrations everywhere: beekeeper registration (biosecurity, with your state agriculture department) and food business registration (food safety, with your local council). Don't confuse the two — they serve different purposes and are managed by different authorities.

The NIP exemption loophole

If you only sell honey from your own premises (farm gate, front door), you may be exempt from the Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) requirement under FSANZ. The moment you sell at a market, through a shop, online for delivery, or list on SideStall, the NIP is required. FSANZ provides a free online NIP calculator.

American Foulbrood is serious

AFB is a notifiable disease in every state and territory. If you suspect it, report it to your state agriculture department within 48 hours. Infected hives must be destroyed — there is no cure. Leaving infected equipment exposed or dumping it is a serious offence. Antibiotics are prohibited for AFB treatment in Australia.

Don't call it "organic" unless you're certified

Making organic claims on honey without certification from an approved body (ACO or NASAA) is an offence under Australian Consumer Law. Organic certification requires your apiaries to be at least 5km from pollution sources — which makes it practically impossible near any city. "Free range" is not a regulated term for honey and has no legal meaning — avoid using it.

Labeling matters more than you think

Every jar needs: your full name and street address (PO Boxes don't count), product name, net weight in grams, lot identification (extraction or packing date works), and country of origin. Best-before dates are not required for honey (shelf life exceeds 2 years) but including one builds consumer confidence. Penalties for non-compliant labeling can reach $220,000 for individuals.

When in doubt, ring the regulator

Every state agriculture department has a bee health team and they're paid to help you get this right. They'd rather walk you through registration than chase you up after a biosecurity incident. A 10-minute phone call can save you weeks of confusion.

Got your honey ready to sell?

Once you've registered as a beekeeper, notified your council, and labelled your jars, list your stall on SideStall — free, no fees, no commissions. Local buyers will find you on the map.

Visit sidestall.au

Disclaimer: This guide is general information for backyard honey sellers in Australia, current as at April 2026. It is not legal or compliance advice. Beekeeper registration and food safety regulations are set by state and territory governments and change from time to time — always confirm current requirements with the authorities listed for your state before you sell. SideStall is a discovery directory; we don't enforce, verify, or audit honey seller compliance.

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