South Australia · Capital city · 0.95× regional adjustment

Scrap Stainless Steel Prices in Adelaide

Scrap stainless steel in Adelaide currently pays from $1.24 per kilogram for 304 stainless up to $1.36 for 316 stainless. As the capital of South Australia, Adelaide has the densest scrap yard network in the state.

Stainless Steel grades and payouts in Adelaide (per kg)

Estimated yard payouts for each grade, based on the current LME spot ($2.38/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
304 Stainless
The most common stainless grade — 18% chromium, 8% nickel. Used in kitchen sinks, food equipment, and general fabrication.
 55% $1.24 $1.06 – $1.43
316 Stainless
Marine grade — adds 2-3% molybdenum to 304's composition for higher corrosion resistance. Pays more due to molybdenum content.
 60% $1.36 $1.15 – $1.56

Price history

Local Adelaide prices track the national stainless steel series — multiply by 0.95 for Adelaide equivalents. View the full 30-day chart on the national stainless steel page.

Where these numbers come from

Figure Value Source Type Checked
Stainless Steel spot price A$2.38/kg Calculated: 8% nickel (MetalpriceAPI) + a fixed A$0.50/kg chromium allowance Our calculation, partly a fixed estimate
Adelaide regional factor 0.95× Our model (freight distance and yard rate differences) Our estimate
Stainless Steel grade payout rates 55% / 60% 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. The chromium allowance is a fixed figure set on 2026-05-16, not a market price. Full detail: methodology.

Stainless Steel 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 stainless steel grades. Industrial demolition, residential renovations, and trade volumes from electricians, plumbers, and panel beaters provide consistent supply.

Scrap yards in Adelaide that buy stainless steel

30 scrap yards listed in the Adelaide area. Browse all yards in Adelaide →

Frequently asked questions

What's the current price for scrap stainless steel in Adelaide? +

Today's estimated payouts in Adelaide range from $1.24 per kilogram (304 stainless) up to $1.36 (316 stainless). 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 stainless steel in Adelaide? +

Check the Adelaide yard directory for addresses and phone numbers, then call 2-3 yards before transport. Most Adelaide yards accept stainless steel in all common grades, though smaller yards may have minimum weight requirements.

Why does Adelaide pay 5% less than Sydney for stainless steel? +

Transport cost. Stainless Steel 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 stainless steel graded at Adelaide yards? +

Adelaide yards use the same grading system as the rest of Australia: 304 Stainless, 316 Stainless. The grade depends on cleanliness, alloy purity, and contamination. See our complete <a href="/metals/stainless/">Stainless Steel 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 stainless steel 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.

Other metals in Adelaide

Stainless Steel in other cities