Ian Rogers
The NSW Government has committed $9.5 million in new funding to support beekeepers and strengthen crop pollination, as part of an expanded NSW Varroa Mite Management Program set to begin in January 2026.
Announced by Tara Moriarty, the funding package will deliver new compliance officers, targeted education and training, and a major research and development program aimed at helping the honey bee industry manage the ongoing threat of Varroa mite.
The program will run until June 2027 and builds on more than $58.4 million already invested by the NSW Government to combat Varroa mite since its detection.
European honey bees play a critical role in pollinating crops across NSW, underpinning industries such as apples, berries and almonds. However, Varroa mite remains one of the most significant biosecurity threats facing Australian agriculture, with international experience showing pollination-reliant industries becoming increasingly dependent on paid pollination services.
What the funding will deliver
Under the NSW Varroa Mite Management Program, funding will be allocated across four key areas:
- $1.6 million to enhance honey bee compliance, including the appointment of four new Honey Bee Compliance Surveillance Officers to ensure beekeepers meet obligations under the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice.
- $2.4 million for an expanded biosecurity extension program, continuing the work of three Bee Biosecurity Officers to provide hands-on support and surveillance across NSW.
- $1.1 million for education and training delivered through Tocal College, including beekeeper-specific chemical user training, a new traineeship program, and short courses on honeybee nutrition and seasonal management.
- $4.4 million for research and development focused on breeding Varroa-resistant bees, monitoring chemical resistance, assessing pollinator activity, and identifying best-practice hive placement to maximise pollination success.
The research outcomes will be integrated into education programs, while one-on-one support from Bee Biosecurity Officers will continue to help beekeepers apply best-practice Varroa management techniques.
Supporting industry resilience
Minister Moriarty said the funding demonstrated the government’s commitment to ensuring NSW beekeepers remain well equipped to manage the mite.
“The NSW Government is determined to ensure the great work achieved nationally can continue at a state level,” she said.
“This program will help build industry resilience while supporting NSW honey bee industries to be future ready.
“Proactive control measures are essential to safeguard crop production and maintain the stability of agricultural supply chains across the state.”
The initiative complements the National Varroa Mite Management Program, led by NSW DPIRD, which has delivered more than 120 beekeeper education workshops nationwide, including 45 in NSW, and reached thousands more through national webinars.
