Understanding the Honey Levy: Where Your Cents Go and Why It Matters

If you're new to beekeeping, you've likely heard mention of "the honey levy" – a small cost attached to the sale of honey in Australia. But what exactly is it, how is it collected, and what does it fund? In this article, we break down the essentials so you can better understand how your contributions are helping support and safeguard our industry.

What Is the Honey Levy?

The honey levy is a federal compulsory charge collected on all honey produced and sold in Australia at the first point of sale. It’s currently set at 5.6 cents per kilogram, and it applies to both commercial and amateur beekeepers who sell over 1,500kg per annum. While the amount per kilo might seem modest, when pooled across the nation’s beekeepers, the levy becomes a vital source of industry funding.

From 1 July 2025, the levy was increased by 1 cent per kilogram from 4.6 to 5.6 cents per kilogram. This temporary increase will be in place for six years and is specifically designated to repay the debt incurred from the national response to the Varroa mite incursion. This includes paying our share of the many services you may have participated in through the T2M program including Varroa Development Officers and training.

Who Collects the Levy?

The honey levy is collected and managed by the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). DAFF is responsible for administering all agricultural levies in Australia, ensuring they are collected fairly and used appropriately.

Importantly, the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC) – while central to the honey bee industry – does not receive levy funds directly. Instead, AHBIC plays a crucial oversight role on behalf of industry, helping guide and monitor how the levy funds are spent to ensure they deliver real benefits to beekeepers.

What Does the Levy Fund?

Levy funds are split across several key areas that support the sustainability and growth of the beekeeping sector:

  • Biosecurity Activities and Responses (3.8c/kg): Administered through Plant Health Australia a portion of the levy is used to deliver key programs that industry has agreed to and provides a funding mechanism to contribute to national cost shared emergency response activities.  The important biosecurity programs that are funded through levies include.
    • The National Bee Biosecurity Program which provides funding to jurisdictions for the Bee Biosecurity Officers (BBO’s) in each state. It was also the original source of funding for the development of the Biosecurity Code of Practice.
    • The National Bee Pest Surveillance Program that is a partnership between pollination dependent industries to provide port surveillance at high-risk ports around the country.
    • Funding for National Cost-Shared Biosecurity Response. Examples of recent cost-shared responses include NSW varroa, Asian Honey Bees in Townsville, Red Dwarf Honey Bees in WA.
  • Research and Development (1.5c/kg): Through AgriFutures Australia, levy money funds research projects that improve hive health, pollination efficiency, pest and disease management, and honey production methods.
  • Residue Monitoring (0.3c/kg): The National Residues Survey randomly tests 180 honey samples from around the country for a long list of residues.  This program is in place to monitor chemical residues in honey, helping protect Australia's reputation as a supplier of clean, safe, premium honey.

What Is AHBIC’s Role Then?

AHBIC is the peak body representing the interests of Australian beekeepers, from hobbyists to large commercial operators. While it does not receive levy funds itself, AHBIC is responsible for overseeing how the levy money is spent, ensuring transparency and accountability.

In practical terms, AHBIC provides industry advice to DAFF, sits on advisory committees for research funding, and liaises with government agencies to ensure levy investments align with the needs of beekeepers.

Why the Increase in 2025?

The 2022 detection of Varroa destructor in New South Wales triggered a major national emergency response, involving surveillance, destruction of infested hives, compensation to beekeepers, containment efforts and now a transition to management program.

The response is cost shared between 26 industry and government parties.  The honey bee industries share is 1.1% or $1.1 million.  The mechanism to repay this debt is through a temporary 1 cent per kg increase in the honey levy starting 1 July 2025. This increase will be removed once the debt is repaid.

So how do I contribute?

The statutory levy system works by beekeepers self-reporting to the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s.  A simple google search for honey levy will take you to the DAFF webpage where you can register as a levy payer and choose to do returns annually or half yearly.  Once registered you get a email reminder each time your honey levy return is due. Beekeepers selling 1,500kg or more in any year must register.

Why It Matters to You

Whether you're running a few backyard hives or managing a commercial operation, the honey levy helps ensure our industry has the tools, science, and systems it needs to thrive. While you may not see the direct impact every day, your contributions fund the research, biosecurity, and advocacy that protect your bees and our broader pollination-dependent agriculture.

So next time you hear about the honey levy, know that it's more than just a small charge – it's an investment in the future of beekeeping in Australia.