Scrap Metal Prices by City

Scrap metal prices vary across Australia — not because the metal is worth less in one city than another, but because of transport. Every kilogram of scrap eventually travels to a smelter or export port for processing, and the cost of that freight is priced into what a local yard can afford to pay.

Sydney sets the national benchmark (a regional adjustment of 1.00×) because it combines the densest network of competing buyers with direct port access and short transport distances to most domestic processors. Cities further from this infrastructure pay proportionally less: Melbourne and the major capitals sit close behind, regional centres take a moderate discount, and remote cities like Darwin (0.78×) and Katherine (0.65×) carry the steepest transport penalty in the country. At today's prices, clean bare bright copper that pays about $15.61 per kilogram in Sydney pays about $12.18 in Darwin for exactly the same material.

The 45 cities below each have a dedicated page showing current local prices for all eight metals, the city's regional adjustment, links to peer markets in the same state, and — where available — a directory of nearby scrap yards. Select your city to see what your metal is likely to be worth this week, before you call a yard for a firm quote.