Scrap Lead Prices in Adelaide
Scrap lead in Adelaide currently pays from $0.78 per kilogram for lead-acid batteries up to $1.30 for soft lead. As the capital of South Australia, Adelaide has the densest scrap yard network in the state.
Lead grades and payouts in Adelaide (per kg)
Estimated yard payouts for each grade, based on the current LME spot ($2.73/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft Lead Pure lead in pipe, sheet, or ingot form. | 50% | $1.30 | $1.10 – $1.49 |
| Lead-Acid Batteries Whole batteries, priced per kilogram including casing and acid. Yards may have minimum quantities. | 30% | $0.78 | $0.66 – $0.90 |
Price history
Local Adelaide prices track the national lead series — multiply by 0.95 for Adelaide equivalents. View the full 30-day chart on the national lead page.
Where these numbers come from
| Figure | Value | Source | Type | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead spot price | A$2.73/kg | MetalpriceAPI (LME-linked market data) | Market data feed | |
| Adelaide regional factor | 0.95× | Our model (freight distance and yard rate differences) | Our estimate | |
| Lead grade payout rates | 50% / 30% | Our estimate from published yard rate cards | Our estimate |
Spot prices are converted to Australian dollars per kilogram. Yard payouts are our estimates (spot × grade payout rate × regional factor), not quotes from any yard. Full detail: methodology.
Lead 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 lead grades. Industrial demolition, residential renovations, and trade volumes from electricians, plumbers, and panel beaters provide consistent supply.
Scrap yards in Adelaide that buy lead
30 scrap yards listed in the Adelaide area. Browse all yards in Adelaide →
Frequently asked questions
What's the current price for scrap lead in Adelaide? +
Today's estimated payouts in Adelaide range from $0.78 per kilogram (lead-acid batteries) up to $1.30 (soft lead). 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 lead in Adelaide? +
Check the Adelaide yard directory for addresses and phone numbers, then call 2-3 yards before transport. Most Adelaide yards accept lead in all common grades, though smaller yards may have minimum weight requirements.
Why does Adelaide pay 5% less than Sydney for lead? +
Transport cost. Lead 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 lead graded at Adelaide yards? +
Adelaide yards use the same grading system as the rest of Australia: Soft Lead, Lead-Acid Batteries. The grade depends on cleanliness, alloy purity, and contamination. See our complete <a href="/metals/lead/">Lead grading guide</a> for what each grade means, examples, and how to identify it.
Do Adelaide scrap yards require photo ID? +
Under the 1996 Act dealers must keep detailed records of all transactions; the Law Handbook page does not spell out photo ID for sellers. The Scrap Metal Dealers Bill 2025 would require dealers to keep records of customer identification and payment details. The exact ID documents it will require have not been published on a page we could verify. (Currently the Second-hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act 1996; dealers are not licensed but must notify police before starting business. A stand-alone Scrap Metal Dealers Bill 2025 was introduced into Parliament in late 2025 to register scrap metal dealers. Whether it has commenced could not be confirmed; last checked 2026-09-02.)
Can I be paid cash for scrap metal in Adelaide? +
Not banned under the 1996 Act. The Scrap Metal Dealers Bill 2025 would stop businesses advertising or paying cash, gift cards or cryptocurrency for scrap metal. Commencement not confirmed. (Last checked 2026-09-02.)
Is it worth driving from Adelaide to a bigger city for higher lead 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.