Scrap Copper Prices in Adelaide
Scrap copper in Adelaide currently pays from $4.31 per kilogram for insulated copper wire up to $13.46 for bare bright copper. As the capital of South Australia, Adelaide has the densest scrap yard network in the state.
Copper grades and payouts in Adelaide (per kg)
Estimated yard payouts for each grade, based on the current LME spot ($18.16/kg) and Adelaide's 0.95× regional adjustment. Actual offers vary by yard, load size, and material quality.
| Grade | Payout rate | Est. mid (AUD/kg) | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Bright Copper Stripped, uncoated copper wire of 16 gauge or thicker, with no oxidation or tarnish. Pays the highest price of any common scrap. | 78% | $13.46 | $11.44 – $15.48 |
| #1 Copper Clean, unalloyed copper that may have minor oxidation. No solder, paint, or attachments. | 70% | $12.08 | $10.27 – $13.89 |
| #2 Copper Copper with some tarnish, soldered joints, paint, or light contamination. Still valuable but pays less than clean grades. | 58% | $10.01 | $8.51 – $11.51 |
| Insulated Copper Wire Copper wire still wrapped in plastic or rubber insulation. The yard pays based on estimated copper content after stripping. | 25% | $4.31 | $3.67 – $4.96 |
Price history
Local Adelaide prices track the national copper series — multiply by 0.95 for Adelaide equivalents. View the full 30-day chart on the national copper page.
Copper in Adelaide
Adelaide's auto manufacturing legacy left a dense network of yards, particularly in Wingfield and Regency Park. Defence and shipbuilding contracts at Osborne keep specialty alloy demand strong.
As a capital city, Adelaide has the densest scrap yard concentration in South Australia, with active buyers for all common copper grades. Industrial demolition, residential renovations, and trade volumes from electricians, plumbers, and panel beaters provide consistent supply.
Scrap yards in Adelaide that buy copper
30 verified scrap yards in the Adelaide area. Browse all yards in Adelaide →
Frequently asked questions
What's the current price for scrap copper in Adelaide? +
Today's estimated payouts in Adelaide range from $4.31 per kilogram (insulated copper wire) up to $13.46 (bare bright copper). Prices update daily and reflect Adelaide's 0.95× regional adjustment from the Sydney benchmark. See the grades table above for all payouts.
Where can I sell scrap copper in Adelaide? +
We're building a verified directory of Adelaide scrap yards. Until that's live, call 2-3 yards in your area before transport. Most Adelaide yards accept copper in all common grades, though smaller yards may have minimum weight requirements.
Why does Adelaide pay 5% less than Sydney for copper? +
Transport cost. Copper sold in Adelaide eventually travels to a smelter or export port — typically via the state capital — and yards price the freight cost into their offer. The 0.95× regional adjustment models this transport drag based on observed yard rates and distance to processing facilities.
How is copper graded at Adelaide yards? +
Adelaide yards use the same grading system as the rest of Australia: Bare Bright Copper, #1 Copper, #2 Copper, Insulated Copper Wire. The grade depends on cleanliness, alloy purity, and contamination. See our complete <a href="/metals/copper/">Copper grading guide</a> for what each grade means, examples, and how to identify it.
Do I need ID to sell copper at a Adelaide yard? +
Yes for any non-trivial copper or brass load. South Australia legislation requires yards to record seller ID on regulated transactions to deter metal theft. Bring a driver's licence or other photo ID. Cash payments above certain thresholds may require additional documentation.
Is it worth driving from Adelaide to a bigger city for higher copper rates? +
Generally no, unless you have a very large load. Fuel costs from Adelaide to the nearest capital quickly eat the rate difference, especially for a single residential load. The exception is high-value loads of clean copper or brass — for loads above a few hundred kilograms of clean material, the maths can work out. For everything else, consolidate locally and accept the 0.95× rate.