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An Apiarist produces honey and other honey products by managing bees and their beehives. You’ll market your products for sale and organise transportation of stock. Apiarists monitor the health of bee colonies and ensure living conditions and available nutrition are appropriate for bees’ needs. Some Apiarists also breed bees for use in pollinating other crops.
An Apiarist spends a lot of time outdoors so you’ll need to be prepared to work in a range of weather conditions. You’ll also need to be ready for some physically demanding tasks during your day. Apiarists need to plan ahead to ensure their hives are ready to produce honey as required and you’ll need to undertake various administrative tasks to manage and market your apiary.
There are 2 courses available for people who want to become an Apiarist.
Possible job outcomes:
Get qualified as a farm hand (without a work placement) by enrolling in the AHC20122 Certificate II in Agriculture. This nationally recognised training course will teach you how to work safely on a farm — operating a range of machinery (motorbikes, tractors) and carrying out standard jobs (mustering, marking livestock, fencing, weed control). The course takes 9 months to complete and is delivered via a mix of online components, face-to-face, and practical sessions. Enquire now for the next batch intake dates and your eligibility for government funded training..
Average duration: 12 months.
Begin and exciting career in apiculture or start your own bee colony at home with the AHC31818 Certificate III in Beekeeping. This 2 year course will teach you how to establish an apiary site, assemble and maintain a beehive, extract honey, safely use smokers and beekeeping equipment, re-queen a bee colony, manage honey bee swarms, and safely transport bee hives to a new site. The course also covers essential aspects of workplace safety and quality assurance. Enquire now for the list of study units and available training dates near you..
In Australia, a full time Apiarist generally earns $1,300 per week ($67,600 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.
The beekeeping industry has seen an increase in employment numbers in recent years. There are currently 1,200 people employed as an Apiarist in Australia compared to 1,000 five years ago. Apiarists may find work across all regions of Australia but are more likely to find job opportunities in rural and regional areas.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights
If you’re planning a career as an Apiarist, consider enrolling in a Certificate III in Beekeeping. This course will show you how to extract honey, use smokers and transport a beehive. You’ll explore topics such as establishing an apiary site, assembling and maintaining a beehive and managing a honey bee swarm.
We’ll find nearby campuses and check if you’re eligible for funding in your state.
Here are some potential career pathways within beekeeping. Click on an occupation to learn more about the role and the qualifications that can help you get started in this industry.
Beekeeping
Apiarist
$1,300 weekly pay
Beekeeper
Learn more about Apiarist courses in your area.