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Apiarist/Beekeeper

Apiarist/Beekeeper
ANZSCO Code: 121311 / Group D

Plans, organises, controls, coordinates and operates apiaries to produce honey, queen bee pollen, beeswax and royal jelly, breed queen bees and pollinate crops.

Occupation description

Plans, organises, controls, coordinates and operates apiaries to produce honey, queen bee pollen, beeswax and royal jelly, breed queen bees and pollinate crops.

Occupations considered suitable under this ANZSCO code:

  • Bee Farmer 
  • Honey Producer

Occupations not considered suitable under this ANZSCO code:

  •  Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Workers 
  • Livestock Farm Workers 
  • Crop Farm Workers

Apiarist/Beekeeper is a VETASSESS Group B occupation

This occupation requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the educational level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV or higher. Applicants can fulfil the assessment criteria for this occupation in one of four ways.

Group D - Beekeeper

* Additional qualifications in a highly relevant field of study include those comparable to the following levels:

  • AQF Diploma
  • AQF Advanced Diploma
  • AQF Associate Degree or

** Highly relevant paid employment duration (20 hours or more per week)
1-3
minimum years of employment highly relevant to the nominated occupation, completed at an appropriate skill level in the five years before the date of application for a Skills Assessment.
 

4
minimum 4 years of relevant employment required – Three years of relevant employment (can be outside the last 5-year period) in addition to at least one year of highly relevant employment within the last five years before applying.

Qualification and Employment Criteria

Qualification

Highly relevant major fields of study include Beekeeping, Intensive Agriculture, Animal Science, Zoology and Entomology.

Employment

Highly relevant tasks include, but are not limited to: 

  • Breeding and raising bees for the production of honey, queen bee pollen, beeswax and royal jelly, breed queen bees and pollinate crops; 
  • Overseeing and undertaking breeding, feeding and nutrition programs; 
  • Organising the sale, purchase and transportation of bees and produce; 
  • Maintaining and evaluating records of farming activities, monitoring market activity and planning production accordingly; 
  • Managing business capital including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management.

Additional tasks may include: 

  • May select, train and supervise staff and contractors; 
  • Overseeing data collection and analysis and farm technology systems; 
  • Monitoring and maintaining the health, welfare and condition of bees, including developing and overseeing strategies to manage biosecurity and other risks.

Employment information

Beekeepers, also known as Apiarists, are managers  of beehives. They oversee the production of honey  and related products (such as beeswax, pollen and  royal jelly).

Beekeepers are usually individuals who enjoy physical work, being outdoors, as well as taking an interest in plants and insects. Being able to work independently and being willing to travel long distances (moving  hives and transporting live bees) is an important part  of the role. Most Beekeepers work in agriculture, forestry, manufacturing or commercial industries. Licensing and/or registration may be required in  certain states or territories.

When applying for a Skills Assessment, please ensure you submit sufficient evidence supporting proof of identity, qualification and employment claims. A full list of the documents required can be found on the VETASSESS website under Eligibility Criteria. For this occupation, you must also submit a completed farm list or portfolio. 

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How to apply

If you're a professional choosing to migrate to Australia, chances are you're likely to be assessed by us. We assess 341 different professional occupations, assessing your skills, experience and qualifications.

1

Find

Find the VETASSESS occupation that most closely fits your skills and experience. 

2

Match

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3

Prepare

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4

Apply

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