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NONAC05020

Beginning in Bees

Non-accredited Short Course

Is beekeeping for you? Already have bees? What you need to know, discover, and improve can be found here in this 2 day short course.

Apply now
STUDY LOCATIONS Gold Coast
WAYS TO STUDY On campus
NEXT INTAKE Start date: 15 Feb 2025 Duration: 2 weeks View all intakes
WHAT YOU'LL PAY
Full Fee

This is the total course fee. Read more about student loans and payment plans.

$190

Course overview

This course is designed to give the would-be or novice beekeeper the knowledge, skills, and confidence to keep and manage a colony of Honey bees. You will gain knowledge and learn practical skills to guide you in Best Practice beekeeping whatever method you choose or practice be it Langstroth, Flowhive, Top Bar or Warre. This course is conducted by a Qualified and experienced Beekeeping Educator with years of experience in the Beekeeping Industry.

This course and our other beekeeping topics on offer, are an investment in your bees, the environment, and your own ability to get the most from your beekeeping experience.

We have a range of Bee Keeping courses available, make sure you check them out!

This course includes practical work with live honey bees-

During lesson 2 there will be an excursion & tour to an operating commercial Apiary. Details will be provided to students in the first lesson. Students will need to provide their own transport to and from this local Apiary.

Topics covered:

  • identify health and safety hazards, risks and apply appropriate controls
  • select, check, fit and use appropriate (PPE)
  • select and check appropriate tools and equipment
  • comply with hive quarantine and biosecurity requirements
  • assessment of weather and other factors to minimise the risk of robbing and stress to bees
  • working from a safe position using smoker, tools and equipment to move, open and dismantle a hive according to workplace procedures
  • ensure hive components are kept clean and dirt free
  • replacement of hive components, brood, and hive reassembly according to workplace procedures
  • confirm work activity with supervisor
  • identify and confirm that the conditions are appropriate for using a bee smoker
  • check bee smoker equipment is available and serviceable
  • identify hazards and risks, use PPE and safe work practices to minimise risk
  • ensure fire prevention procedures are carried out
  • anticipate defensive behaviour of bees and monitor and apply smoke to control bee behaviour
  • select suitable fuel, ignite and keep functional and alight while carrying out bee husbandry tasks
  • used and shut down bee smoker safely after completing operations according to regulations/workplace fire prevention procedures
  • an emphasis on identifying and managing Varroa mite including hands on testing

Course outcome:

Statement of Participation

Ways to study
  • You'll learn face to face with a teacher in a classroom or simulated workplace environment. You may access learning materials through our online learning management system Connect. Learn more

  • demo View comparison chart
CAMPUS STUDY MODE START DATE DURATION WORKLOAD WHAT YOU'LL PAY
Robina
On Campus
15 Feb 2025
2 weeks
Part time 1 day per week 9am - 4pm with excursions off site
Saturday
  • Full fee: $190

    This is the total course fee. Read more about student loans and payment plans.

demo

Robina

On Campus

  • Online Time

    How much of the course will be delivered online. 

    0%
  • On Campus Time
    100%
START DATE

The date the course starts. Apply early as intakes fill up quickly. 

15 Feb 2025
DURATION

The total length of time it takes to complete the course.

2 weeks
Workload

The average amount of time students will need to allocate to study each week.

Part time 1 day per week 9am - 4pm with excursions off site
Saturday
WHAT YOU'LL PAY
  • Full fee: $190

    This is the total course fee. Read more about student loans and payment plans.

Class format

Some courses include classes at scheduled times while others can be completed in your own time.

Teacher-led, Scheduled
VIRTUAL CLASS

Scheduled online classes using video conferencing software (such as Zoom).

No
ASSESSMENT

The primary location assessments will take place. Some courses also require vocational placement.

No assessment
TEACHER COMMS

The different ways you can contact your teacher throughout the course.

  • Phone, Email, Face-to-face, Zoom

Download Brochure

Beginning in Bees (NONAC05020)

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Beginning in Bees

COURSE CODE: NONAC05020
Payment Options

How can I pay for this course?

No matter what your circumstances, TAFE Queensland has a payment option to suit you. If you are unsure of what’s right for you, get in touch. We’re here to help. 

Payment plan

If you have difficulty paying for the full cost of a course upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan.

Learn more
Upfront payment

This may be the full fee for the course, or the student contribution amount if you are eligible for a subsidy or concession.

Learn more

Resources required

  • Pen and paper for note taking.
  • BYO lunch.
  • If you have one, bring your bee suit, however basic PPE will be provided.
  • If anaphylactic, please bring your Epipen and health management plan.
  • This course includes practical work with live honey bees

During this course there will be an excursion & tour to an operating commercial Apiary. Details will be provided to students in the first lesson.
Students will need to provide their own transport to and from this local Apiary.

Important information

  • We recommend using public transport or
  • If you are driving, BEFORE you arrive, please download the EasyPark App, set up your account and in the Search bar at top of the screen, type ‘Tafe’ and select the appropriate parking area to set as your location – something similar to this will appear- Care Park Australia street parking, private, 1 day duration.
  • We highly recommend you download the app and enter the details prior to arriving as there may be no signal in the basement. If you have any issues reach out to security on campus located on the ground floor near the lifts.
  • Parking can be accessed via Paddington Place. ONLY park in the spaces marked with the Red TAFE Queensland logo on the ground on either B1 or B2 to avoid being fined by Easy Park. 
    Please be aware that parking spaces can fill early.

Please note: The Seedpod Cafe on site at our Robina Campus is not open for business on the weekend or in the evenings so you are advised to bring your own refreshments.
The Green Fields restaurant & bar on site at our Robina Campus is open from 4pm-9pm most days of the week. Green Fields information.

Pathways

University pathways

If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.

Learn more about University Pathways

  • James Cook University
  • Southern Cross University
  • University of Canberra
  • Griffith University
  • Queensland University of Technology
  • University of Southern Queensland

How to apply

Direct application

If you're ready to get started, simply hit the Apply Now button on your preferred course information page and get your application underway online. 

Course disclaimer

All information was accurate at time of publication, however TAFE policies, tuition fees and course content is subject to change without notice. Course commencement is dependent on sufficient enrolment numbers. Timetable information is subject to change prior to commencement and/or during the duration of your course.