Honey Awards Rules

1. Purpose of the Competition

The Tasmanian Honey Awards aim to celebrate and showcase the quality, diversity, and craftsmanship of locally produced honey. The competition is open to eligible beekeepers and is designed to be fair, educational, and enjoyable for both entrants and judges.

2. Eligibility

  • The competition is open to financial members of the Derwent Valley Beekeepers Association, or anyone who has paid the entry fee.
  • All honey must be produced by the entrant within Tasmania.
  • Honey must be harvested during the current or previous beekeeping season.
  • Commercially blended or imported honey is not permitted.

3. Classes / Categories

Entries will be judged within the following classes (subject to entry numbers):

  • Leatherwood Honey
  • Wildflower honey

To ensure there is a competition in each class, a minimum of 3 entires per class is required before a class will be judged.

The DVBA Committee reserves the right to merge, split or cancel classes depending on the number of entries received.

4. Entry Limits

  • Each entrant may submit only one (1) entry per class/category.
  • Each entry must be from a separate batch of honey.
  • Honey must be produced by bees that are owned by the entrant in the 2026/27 season.

5. Entry Containers & Presentation

Entries must meet the following presentation standards before being considered for judging:

  • Honey must be submitted in clear, round, glass jars.
  • Volume: a minimum net weight of 300 grams, filled to the top.
  • Lids must be white in colour.
  • Quantity: two (2) jars per class
  • Both jars must be identical.
  • Jars must be clean and free from chips or cracks, filled to an even and appropriate level and properly sealed with a clean lid.
  • No decorative jars, labels, or branding are permitted.

Should your own packaging not meet these requirements, jars and lids are available from the DVBA.

6. Labelling Requirements & Entry Numbers

Each entry will be labelled by the DVBA Committee with an entry number that represents the entry and the class/category for the honey inside the jars. No other identifying marks, names, or hive locations may appear on the jar.

Competitors are not shown their entry number until judging has concluded. Judges have no reference to who entered the honey. All entries are judged blind.

Entry numbers are assigned automatically when the entry form is submitted online.

7. Entry Delivery

  • Both jars for each class/category must be delivered a location in New Norfolk before the entry closing date, as advertised on the DVBA website.
  • Deliveries received after the closing date are ineligible for judging and will not be included in the competition.
  • Entrants will be notified of the delivery address after submitting their entry.
  • Postal or courier deliveries are permitted.

8. Entry Fees

  • An entry fee may apply and will be set by the DVBA Committee.
  • All entry fees are non-refundable.

9. Judging Process

  • All entries will be judged using the official Honey Competition Judging Sheet.
  • Judging will be conducted blind, with judges unaware of the entrant’s identity.
  • The judging panel may include experienced beekeepers, food professionals, and invited community representatives.
  • Judges’ decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

10. Judging Criteria

All entries will be judged using the official Honey Competition Judging Criteria. Honey will be assessed on:

  • Appearance (25 points)
  • Aroma (25 points)
  • Flavour (25 points)
  • Density (25 points)

Each entry will be awarded out of a total of 100 points.

11. Expert Judging Awards

  • First, Second, and Third Place will be awarded in each class (subject to quality).
  • Judges may withhold awards if entries do not meet an acceptable standard.

12. People’s Choice Award

  • A People’s Choice Award will be awarded based on public tasting and voting.
  • Members of the public may sample a limited number of entries.
  • Voting will be conducted anonymously.
  • The DVBA Committee may withhold awards if entries do not meet an acceptable standard.

13. Disqualification

Entries may be disqualified if:

  • The honey shows signs of fermentation or contamination;
  • The honey has been overheated or excessively processed;
  • Presentation or labelling rules are not followed; and,
  • The entry does not meet eligibility requirements.

14. Ownership & Disposal of Entries

  • Honey remains the property of the entrant.
  • Honey can be collected at the end of the Honey Bee Festival.
  • Unclaimed entries may be used for display, education, or disposal at the discretion of the DVBA Committee.

15. Acceptance of Rules

Submission of an entry constitutes acceptance of these rules and all decisions made by the DVBA Committee and the judges. These rules are intended to promote fairness, consistency, and a positive learning experience for all participants.

What’s next?

Before entering, and before preparing your honey, please read the judging criteria.

Ready to go?

Now that you understand how it all works, please enter the competition.