Reporting Varroa

Varroa is a notifiable pest in all states and territories of Australia, meaning that all beekeepers must notify their state authority of positive detections.

Reporting requirements vary by state, so choose from the list to go to your state’s reporting page.

Both positive and negative monitoring reports from beekeepers are used to build state Varroa heat maps.

Varroa mite heat map

The NSW and ACT Varroa mite heat map has been discontinued as of Tuesday 23rd September 2025. The map was no longer considered representative of the extent of Varroa across NSW and ACT. 
For more information click here.

All other state maps can be accessed via state links.

Discontinuing the NSW and ACT Varroa Heat Map

Frequently Asked Questions 

  • Tuesday 23 September 2025. 

  • The NSW/ACT Heat Map was launched in the months after the first detection of Varroa mite to help beekeepers prepare as the pest approached their areas. Its use has been declining in recent months anecdotally relating to a broad acceptance that Varroa mite is now widespread across NSW. Additionally, Varroa reports used to populate the map are also declining, meaning the level of confidence in the information displayed is low.

  • Yes. Varroa mite remains a notifiable pest in across Australia.

    In NSW you only need to report Varroa mite once.

  • Negative monitoring actions are not required to be reported.

  • As of September 2025, the mite has also been identified in the ACT, VIC, QLD and SA, although not in the same numbers as across NSW. 
     
    Similar to NSW in the early stages of the establishment of the mite, the Heat Maps in Victoria, QLD and SA remain a valuable tool as they identify the reported spread of the mite and provide beekeepers and pollination dependent industries in these jurisdictions more information on how close the pest is to their apiaries enabling better preparation.

  • Under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015, Varroa mite remains prohibited matter and as such is a notifiable pest regardless of the discontinuation of the NSW Heat Map. 

  • No. 
    Only the NSW/ACT online Heat Map is being discontinued at this point. 
     
    Visit varroa.org.au to see the full suite of online resources including training videos, treatment plans and much more. 

  • No. 
    Given the continued spread of Varroa mite across NSW and the ACT, beekeepers should assume that the mite is either present in, or nearby, all regions.

  • To learn more about Varroa mite including how to monitor and manage the pest, visit varroa.org.au. 

  • Beekeepers across all states and territories, including NSW and the ACT, can contact their respective Varroa Development Officers (VDOs) for assistance at www.varroa.org.au/vdo.