October 18th, 2025Australian Pollinator Week

Australian Pollinator Week calls on all Australians to celebrate the remarkable diversity of Australia’s pollinators, which are vital to keeping Australia’s landscapes thriving.
The theme for this year’s national week of awareness is Celebrating Diversity: Spotlighting pollinators of every shape and size, encouraging action to support Australia’s more than 2,000 species of native bees, along with hoverflies, moths, butterflies, beetles and other pollinators.
The nine-day festival, which kicks off on 8 November, encourages communities to consider the critical role of pollinators in the environment and to take part in activities including the Australian Pollinator Count, the Wheen Bee Foundation’s Pollinator Photography Competition and School Pollinator Art Competition, Pollinator Picnics, webinars and more.
Australian Pollinator Week was founded in 2015 by Australian native bee specialist Dr Megan Halcroft to grow awareness of the importance of insect pollinators.
“Australian Pollinator Week encourages communities to connect and appreciate the vital role pollinators play in sustaining biodiversity,” Dr Halcroft said.
“Every year I’m impressed by how simple actions, such as planting native flowers or creating habitat, can have a big impact.”
This year, Dr Halcroft is chairing the newly established Australian Pollinator Week Steering Committee, formed to strengthen connections across environmental advocacy groups and inspire greater action for pollinators.
The Committee includes Botanic Gardens of Australia and New Zealand CEO Cassandra Nichols, Invertebrates Australia Founding Managing Director Dr Kate Umbers, Landcare Australia Partnerships Manager Trish O’Gorman and Wheen Bee Foundation Program Manager Rowena Danks.
“The Steering Committee unites experts to better understand the far-reaching impact pollinators have on nature,” Dr Halcroft said. “We are pleased to have such a strong Committee representing Australia’s parks and gardens, landscapes and communities, and Australia’s vast insect populations.”
Australian Pollinator Week is coordinated by the Wheen Bee Foundation, and CEO Fiona Chambers said she is pleased to see the national week continue to grow.
“The Steering Committee reflects the vital role pollinators play in our landscapes, and its work marks an exciting new chapter for Australian Pollinator Week,” Ms Chambers said.
“I look forward to seeing more local communities come together to celebrate pollinators.” Events already listed on the calendar this year include a native bee hotel workshop at Canberra City Farm, a pollinator count with Friends of Kororoit Creek in Melbourne, a science night hosted by native bee expert, Clancy Lester at the Queensland Museum in Brisbane and a planting for pollinators workshop in the Adelaide Hills region in SA.
An annual highlight of the celebrations is the Australian Pollinator Count, which encourages citizen scientists across the country to observe and record pollinator activity in their local area.
“The Australian Pollinator Count helps us understand the status of local pollinators and make informed decisions to safeguard their wellbeing and the health of our ecosystems,” Ms Chambers said.
Register an event for free here: https://www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/explore/
For event ideas or to find a local event near you, visit: https://www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/explore/
Highlights of Australian Pollinator Week 2025
Australian Pollinator Count
The annual Australian Pollinator Count is a long-term project to monitor the status and trends of insect pollinator populations. This includes more than 2,000 species of native bee, along with thousands of species of fly, butterfly, moth, wasp, beetle and other insects.
People across the country are encouraged to take part by heading outside, taking 10 minutes to record the insect pollinators they see and registering their results online.
A Pollinator Count Guide and quiz are available online to help with identifying different types of insects found in backyards, community gardens and farms.
Find out more at: www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/count
Wheen Bee Foundation’s Pollinator Photography Competition
The Wheen Bee Foundation’s Pollinator Photography Competition is back for another year. Photographers and insect pollinator enthusiasts alike are encouraged to head outside and snap pictures of pollinators in action.
A separate category for schools is open to primary and secondary school students, sponsored by Flow, Hornsby Beekeeping, House of Honey, Wild Magazine, the Centre for Bee Education and Bee School by Beechworth Honey.
Submissions will be accepted until Sunday 26 October, 5pm AEDT. Winners will be announced in a webinar on Thursday 13 November at 7.30pm AEDT. Register here: https://wheenbeefoundation.supporterhub.net.au/pages/pollinator-photography-competition-webinar-registration
Find out more at: www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/pollinator-photography-competition
Wheen Bee Foundation’s School Pollinator Art Competition
The Wheen Bee Foundation’s School Pollinator Art Competition invites students across Australia to celebrate pollinators through art.
Students can submit original artworks in any medium, including drawing, painting, digital, collage or mixed media. Prizes will be awarded for the best artwork inspired by pollinators.
The competition is sponsored by the Centre for Bee Education, Rotarians for Bees and the Bee Friendly Farming program.
Submissions will be accepted until Sunday 26 October, 5pm AEDT. Winners will be announced in a webinar on Monday 10 November at 10 AEDT. Register here: https://wheenbeefoundation.supporterhub.net.au/pages/schools-pollinator-art-competition-webinar-registration
Find out more at: www.wheenbeefoundation.org.au/our-work/events/apw-pollinator-schools-art-competition