Swarms

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How groups apply to join the ABA Network

Some amateur beekeepers live too far away from existing ABA clubs to actively participate in club activities. Sometimes informal groups consider establishing a new club under the umbrella of the ABA.

Amateur Beekeepers Australia (the ABA) was established in 1954 to promote recreational beekeeping and improve the skills of non-commercial beekeepers.

Over the years the association has grown to over 3500 members across 37 affiliated clubs, from the South East Queensland and Northern Rivers in the north, to Orana and Alice Springs in the west, and Bega Valley in the south.

Today the ABA is the largest organisation of recreational beekeepers in Australia, providing members access to local clubs that meet regularly and offer a range of practical support. The ABA also lobbies for the interests of beekeepers in industry and government forums, with representation on the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council and the Bee Industry Biosecurity Consultative Council.

Should your group consider affiliating with Amateur Beekeepers Australia?

Key benefits for clubs:

  • Membership admin: The ABA’s centralised system takes care of most membership admin tasks. Members use the system to join an affiliated club and the ABA, pay fees and update their details. Membership fees are collected centrally and transferred into each club’s bank account

  • Insurance: The ABA arranges the insurance for all affiliated clubs and also offers optional insurance cover for individual members. Full details on our Insurance page

  • Grants: A starter grant of $500 is available for new clubs once they reach 10 members, are incorporated and the affiliation is finalised

  • Gmail accounts: With the club Gmail (e.g. clubname.function@beekeepers.asn.au) accounts, business is kept separate from personal emails. When individuals on the committee change, the account is easily transferred to the new office bearer without losing important information and without the need to circulate new contacts to club members.

  • Google Workspace: Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms, Sites, Calendar and Meet give club organisers the power to share documents and run committee and club meetings efficiently.

  • Accounting software: The ABA provides access to the easy-to-use cloud-based accounting package manager

  • Website: Affiliated clubs are listed on the club directory. A dedicated page with a calendar is linked to a club's Google calendar so members and the public can easily find out about upcoming events and get in contact. This can be a great tool to find new members.

  • Education resources: Clubs have access to a range of ABA branded materials (online and print)

  • Swarm list for members: Member can list themselves on the ABA Swarm System, which links members of the public who find swarms with local beekeepers who can help

  • Membership cards: The ABA issues cards that members can use as name tags at meetings, and to obtain special discounts at some beekeeping equipment suppliers. Clubs can request “gold cards” for club life members

  • ABA newsletter: All members receive the bi-monthly newsletter The Amateur Beekeeper.

  • Club newsletter distribution: On request, club newsletters can be published on the website and emailed to club members

  • Support: Members of the ABA executive team offer dedicated support to help clubs affiliate. With so many new clubs over the last few years, we have some experience.

What’s next?

Please contact the ABA President any further information or to get the ball rolling.