The lost tradition of beekeeping at the home of Australian federal politics is set to be restored as specialist beehives are added to the grounds of Canberra's Parliament House.

As part of efforts to tackle the decline of bee populations – crucial to Australia's food security, agriculture and environmental sustainability – three hives will be installed in bushland outside Parliament on Friday night.

Cormac Farrell at his home in Evatt with one of the beehives he will be moving to Parliament House. Credit:Rohan Thomson

Head parliamentary gardener Paul Janssens said the hives include an award-winning Australian-designed Flow Hive, complete with an in-built plastic honey extractor, which allows honey collections without disrupting the bees.

Coloured in House of Representatives eucalyptus green, Langstrogh and Top Bar hives will also be installed, with the project's first honey harvest expected later this year.