Scrap metal prices per kg in Australia
| Scrap type | Price (AUD) | Change | Global reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-ferrous (per kg) | |||
| Copper Scrap | A$16.89 / kg | ▲ +1.22% | $5.81 / lb |
| Aluminum Scrap | A$2.53 / kg | ▲ +1.16% | $0.87 / lb |
| Brass Scrap | A$10.29 / kg | ▲ +1.14% | $3.54 / lb |
| Stainless Steel Scrap | A$1.66 / kg | ▲ +0.00% | $0.57 / lb |
| Lead Scrap | A$1.71 / kg | ▲ +0.00% | $0.59 / lb |
| Zinc Scrap | A$2.62 / kg | ▲ +0.00% | $0.90 / lb |
| Battery Scrap | A$0.67 / kg | ▲ +0.00% | $0.23 / lb |
| Radiator Scrap | A$9.71 / kg | ▲ +1.21% | $3.34 / lb |
| Wire Scrap | A$8.17 / kg | ▲ +1.44% | $2.81 / lb |
| Cable Scrap | A$5.43 / kg | ▲ +1.08% | $1.87 / lb |
| Electronic Scrap | A$2.33 / kg | ▲ +1.27% | $0.80 / lb |
| Ferrous and bulk (per tonne) | |||
| Steel Scrap | A$436 / tonne | ▲ +0.00% | $300 / ton |
| Iron Scrap | A$384 / tonne | ▲ +0.00% | $264 / ton |
| Car Scrap | A$523 / tonne | ▲ +0.00% | $360 / ton |
| Cast Iron | A$419 / tonne | ▲ +0.00% | $288 / ton |
Indicative dealer prices for clean, sorted scrap. Global reference is the US board in US dollars; the Australia figure applies the exchange rate (1 USD = 1.39 AUD) and a local market factor of 0.95.
Australian yards quote non-ferrous scrap in dollars per kilogram and ferrous scrap per tonne. Grades follow local names such as bright copper, candy copper (number 1) and burnt copper, and heavy melt or light melt steel. The AUD-USD exchange rate is a major driver: a weaker dollar lifts local prices.
Australia scrap price chart (AUD)
Daily open, high, low and close for the most traded scrap metals in AUD per kg or per tonne. Scroll to zoom and drag to move along the timeline.
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Copper scrap prices by grade in Australia
Copper is not one price. Yards grade it by cleanliness, coating and gauge, and the spread from the top grade to the bottom runs 25 to 35 percent. These are the same grades used on export contracts, converted to AUD.
The scrap market in Australia
Australia generates more scrap than its steelworks and smelters can absorb, so export demand from Asia sets the ferrous price and LME prices in Australian dollars set the non-ferrous price. Container exports of copper, aluminium and brass leave through Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, while ferrous scrap ships in bulk to mills in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
Prices are strongest in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane where yards compete; regional and Western Australian sellers face longer freight to a port or to the Port Kembla and Whyalla steelworks and receive lower bids.
- Currency
- Australian dollar (AUD)
- Price units
- Per kg for non-ferrous, per tonne for ferrous
- Benchmarks
- LME prices in AUD, Asian ferrous import bids
- Main hubs
- Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Port Kembla
- Trade position
- Net exporter to Asia
The most valuable scrap by weight in Australia today: Copper at A$16.89 per kg, Brass at A$10.29 per kg, Radiator at A$9.71 per kg, Wire at A$8.17 per kg, Cable at A$5.43 per kg.
Selling scrap metal in Australia: rules, ID and payment
Scrap laws are set by each state. New South Wales requires dealers to register, verify seller ID and pay by non-cash methods under the Scrap Metal Industry Act 2016; Victoria and Queensland have similar cashless and record-keeping rules for second-hand dealers. Motor vehicles need proof of ownership and deregistration paperwork.
Before you sell
- Expect cashless payment and an ID check in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
- Convert the LME copper price to Australian dollars per kilogram to judge a quote.
- Aluminium cans, extrusion and cast are paid differently; keep them apart.
Scrap prices by city in Australia
City pages carry local yard prices and directories for the main scrap markets. Pages that are not live yet are shown without a link.
Scrap yards in Australia
Find a yard by region or city, or use your location to see the nearest. Every listing shows where its details came from and when they were checked.
Yard listings for Australia are being added from official dealer registers and trade directories. Nothing is published until it has been verified against a named source, which is why this section is not yet populated.
Australia scrap price FAQ
What is the scrap copper price per kg in Australia today?
As of September 7, 2026, the indicative scrap copper price in Australia is A$16.89 per kg ($5.81 per lb on the global board). Bare bright and clean number 1 copper earn the top of the range; insulated wire, tubing with solder and mixed copper pay less.
What are scrap metal prices in Australia today?
Today's indicative non-ferrous prices in Australia are Copper A$16.89 per kg, Brass A$10.29 per kg, Radiator A$9.71 per kg, Wire A$8.17 per kg, with steel scrap at A$436 per tonne. The full board above lists all 15 scrap types with the change against the previous close.
How are scrap prices quoted in Australia?
Non-ferrous scrap is quoted in AUD per kg and ferrous scrap per tonne. Australian yards quote non-ferrous scrap in dollars per kilogram and ferrous scrap per tonne. Grades follow local names such as bright copper, candy copper (number 1) and burnt copper, and heavy melt or light melt steel. The AUD-USD exchange rate is a major driver: a weaker dollar lifts local prices.
Do I need ID to sell scrap metal in Australia?
Scrap laws are set by each state. New South Wales requires dealers to register, verify seller ID and pay by non-cash methods under the Scrap Metal Industry Act 2016; Victoria and Queensland have similar cashless and record-keeping rules for second-hand dealers. Motor vehicles need proof of ownership and deregistration paperwork.
Which scrap metals pay the most in Australia?
By weight, copper, then brass, then radiator, then wire. Ferrous scrap such as steel and iron pays far less per kg but moves in much larger volumes, which is why it is quoted per tonne.
Why are scrap prices in Australia different from US prices?
Metals are priced in US dollars on the world market, but local prices reflect the AUD exchange rate, freight to the nearest mills and smelters, import and export rules and how many buyers compete for material. Australian prices carry an export freight discount to US levels but move quickly with the exchange rate.
Sources and methodology
Prices on this page start from the global reference board (US dollars per pound or per ton), are multiplied by a Australia market factor of 0.95 that reflects local demand, freight and trade rules, and are converted to AUD at 1 USD = 1.39 and to metric units (kilograms and tonnes). The board refreshes daily, with the time of the latest update shown at the top of the page.
Reference sources
- Australian Metal Recycling Industry Association (AMRIA)
- LME settlement prices, Reserve Bank of Australia exchange rates
Prices are indicative and for information only; they are not offers to buy or sell. Actual yard prices depend on grade, quantity, location and the buyer. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will check it against our sources.