Join The Club
Looking to take your next steps in amateur beekeeping? Want to join a club of like minded people?
If you are interested in beekeeping it is highly likely that you have already done some research into what it is, and what you need to do. Joining a club is a great way to gain insight and knowledge to aid you on your beekeeping journey. There is a few things you need to know before you can obtain bees yourself and set up a hive however, you can join the club whenever you like.
Joining the MBAi
Macarthur Beekeepers Association Incorporated (MBAi) is affiliated with the Amateur Beekeepers Association NSW (ABA NSW) and uses their membership system for club membership. To join the MBAi follow this link: https://www.beekeepers.asn.au/macarthur
PLEASE NOTE: The membership period finishes June 30, then you'll need to renew. If you are wanting to join consider holding off until July.
Fees associated with joining the club:
$10 yearly membership for the MBAi (2023/24 Macarthur Membership) - compulsory (membership till June 30, 2024)
$25 yearly ABA NSW membership fee (2023/24 ABA Membership Fee) - compulsory (membership till June 30, 2024)
$20 optional Public and Products Liability insurance 1 to 100 hives - optional, cover from July 1st 2023 to June 30, 2024. (Insurance info: https://business-insurance.aon.com.au/aon-partners/aba)
Please note: Fees are current as of July 2022. Yearly membership is from July 1 to June 30 the next year.
Registering as a beekeeper
In NSW, you'll need to register as a beekeeper with NSW Department of Primary Industries to keep honey bees. This can be done via the Byte Portal: https://www.bfs.dpi.nsw.gov.au. You'll need to need to create a login if you haven't registered with the system before. Once you're done this you can login and click "Apply Now" for Beekeeper registration. You can register via mail if you wish. More information can be found here: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/bees/beekeeper-registration
Fees associated with registering with the NSW DPI as an amateur beekeeper. Registration is for two years from application being accepted:
Online - $54 for two years for recreational registration if applied for online. $36 for concession registration.
Manual - $60 for two years for recreational registration if applied for email/mail. $40 for concession registration.
Please note: Fees are current as of March 2022.
Need some more advice on joining?
Get in contact with our Membership Officer: macarthur.membership@beekeepers.asn.au or message us via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/macbeekeepers. If you would like to come along to a field day or a club meeting, subscribe to our mailing list to get notified here.