Apiary Industry Fund
The Apiary Industry Fund supports South Australian beekeepers, using payments to carry out projects and activities that benefit the industry.
Funds are collected in accordance with the Primary Industry Funding Schemes (Apiary Industry Fund) Regulations 2016 (the Regulations).
Contributing to the fund
Registered beekeepers who keep 5 or more hives must pay $1 per hive to the Apiary Industry Fund, when registering or renewing their registrations.
See the instructions on beekeeper registration.
Use of funds
The Minister approved the release of up to $142,261 from the Apiary Industry Fund in 2025–26. This will be used for projects to benefit South Australia’s apiary industry as follows:
| Project | Proponent | Apiary industry funding | Co-contribution | In kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bee Biosecurity Officer | PIRSA | $63,260.69 |
$63,260.69 (Plant Health Australia) | $97,528.62 (PIRSA) |
| South Australian Pollination Apiary Industry Blueprint | SA Apiary Association | $50,000 | $30,000 (PIRSA) | - |
| Apiary Industry Fund administration costs (budget) | - | $14,000 | - | - |
Bee Biosecurity Officer project
The Bee Biosecurity Officer (BBO) role is part of the National Bee Biosecurity Program and is 50:50 funding between Plant Health Australia and the Apiary Industry Fund (via PIRSA Biosecurity - Apiary program). The BBO role aims to promote best management practices for Australian beekeepers by improving the management of established pests and diseases, and increasing the preparedness and surveillance of exotic pest threats in the honey bee industry.
Apiary and Pollination Industry Blueprint Development project
A new Apiary and Pollination Industry Development Reference group has been established to support the development of an industry Blueprint. With representation from apiary industry organisations, commercial beekeepers, pollination industries and PIRSA, this group will oversee the creation of a blueprint to provide a collective strategic direction for the sector. It is planned that a contractor will be engaged to lead in the development of the Blueprint including undertaking broad industry consultation.
In addition, the fund will be applied to refund payments.
Details of actual fund expenditure are published in the Apiary Industry Fund annual reports.
Contribution refunds
Applications can be made to refund contributions to apiarists. To request a refund:
Apiarists have 12 months to request a refund of contributions made in the preceding registration period (16 May – 15 May).
To request a refund:
- Complete an Apiary Industry Fund Refund Request Form ( ).
- Provide evidence that the contribution was paid – this can be a tax invoice from the registration or renewal process.
After a refund, contributors are not entitled to any direct service or benefit from the fund for 2 years.
Applying for funded projects
Applications to the Apiary Industry Fund are accepted from any legal entity proposing a project that directly benefits contributors to the fund.
Applications are assessed and approved in line with the Regulations and the Apiary Industry Fund Management Plan, including consultation with key SA apiary industry bodies.
Applicants are encouraged to:
- Consult with industry associations early in the development stages of the application.
- Contact us to discuss the proposed project.
Eligible activities
Activities will be assessed for eligibility against the following criteria:
- benefit to the SA apiary industry
- direct benefit to fund contributors (beekeepers)
- support from industry stakeholders
- value for money (cost of the program compared to the outcomes it will deliver)
- leverage of the fund
- innovation in program delivery
- the organisation’s capability and capacity to undertake the program.
Project activities must comply with the Regulations and the Apiary Industry Fund Management Plan.
Estimated application timelines
Applications can be prepared at any time; however, they will only be processed when the application period closes.
Timing estimate | Activity |
|---|---|
1 March | Applications open |
30 March | Applications close |
15 April | Applications assessed and advice provided to Minister |
1 June | Applications approved and successful applicants notified |
1 July | Projects commence and are managed per the funding agreement |
Fund management
The Primary Industry Funding Schemes Act 1998 requires management plans for each industry fund to be revised annually and presented at a public meeting.
These plans guide the operation of the fund and helps contributors understand how their contributions are to be used.
The latest Apiary Industry Fund Management Plan 2025–26 to 2029–30 ( ) was presented at a public meeting on 15 September 2025 – view public meeting presentation ( ).
The Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development is the administrator of the fund.
Annual reports
Contact
Ainsley Maconochie – Primary Industries Funding Schemes Program Manager
Phone: 08 8214 6025
Email: pirsa.pifs@sa.gov.au