Scrap Brass Prices in Cairns
Scrap brass in Cairns currently pays from $6.86 per kilogram for plumbing brass up to $8.11 for red brass. Cairns is a regional centre in Queensland, with rates set by transport distance to the nearest capital and smelter network.
Brass grades and payouts in Cairns (per kg)
Estimated yard payouts for each grade, based on the current LME spot ($15.21/kg) and Cairns's 0.82× regional adjustment. Actual offers vary by yard, load size, and material quality.
| Grade | Payout rate | Est. mid (AUD/kg) | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Brass Standard yellow brass (60-70% copper, 30-40% zinc), the most common grade. | 60% | $7.48 | $6.36 – $8.61 |
| Red Brass Higher copper content (~85%), reddish tinge. Pays more than yellow brass. | 65% | $8.11 | $6.89 – $9.32 |
| Plumbing Brass Brass with soldered joints or steel attachments — needs extra processing to separate. Pays less than clean yellow. | 55% | $6.86 | $5.83 – $7.89 |
Price history
Local Cairns prices track the national brass series — multiply by 0.82 for Cairns equivalents. View the full 30-day chart on the national brass page.
Where these numbers come from
| Figure | Value | Source | Type | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brass spot price | A$15.21/kg | Calculated: 67% copper + 33% zinc (MetalpriceAPI) | Our calculation from feed prices | |
| Cairns regional factor | 0.82× | Our model (freight distance and yard rate differences) | Our estimate | |
| Brass grade payout rates | 60% / 65% / 55% | 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.
Brass in Cairns
Far North Queensland's distance from southern smelters keeps Cairns payouts below state averages, but limited yard competition makes pricing transparency particularly valuable to sellers.
As a regional centre, Cairns's brass flow comes primarily from residential renovations, local trade work, and rural property clearances. Yards in Cairns consolidate volume for shipment to processing facilities in larger centres.
Scrap yards in Cairns that buy brass
4 scrap yards listed in the Cairns area. Browse all yards in Cairns →
Frequently asked questions
What's the current price for scrap brass in Cairns? +
Today's estimated payouts in Cairns range from $6.86 per kilogram (plumbing brass) up to $8.11 (red brass). Prices update daily and reflect Cairns's 0.82× regional adjustment from the Sydney benchmark. See the grades table above for all payouts.
Where can I sell scrap brass in Cairns? +
Check the Cairns yard directory for addresses and phone numbers, then call 2-3 yards before transport. Most Cairns yards accept brass in all common grades, though smaller yards may have minimum weight requirements. For larger loads, also consider yards in Brisbane.
Why does Cairns pay 18% less than Sydney for brass? +
Transport cost. Brass sold in Cairns eventually travels to a smelter or export port — typically via Brisbane — and yards price the freight cost into their offer. The 0.82× regional adjustment models this transport drag based on observed yard rates and distance to processing facilities.
How is brass graded at Cairns yards? +
Cairns yards use the same grading system as the rest of Australia: Yellow Brass, Red Brass, Plumbing Brass. The grade depends on cleanliness, alloy purity, and contamination. See our complete <a href="/metals/brass/">Brass grading guide</a> for what each grade means, examples, and how to identify it.
Do Cairns scrap yards require photo ID? +
Under the current Act (section 47) the dealer must obtain and verify the seller's name and address before acquiring goods; the Act itself does not specify photo ID. Once the 2026 amendments commence, scrap metal sellers will need to give their name, date of birth and residential address, verified by sighting photo ID with a unique identifier (driver licence, passport or photo ID card), plus a second document if the photo ID does not show the address. (No stand-alone scrap metal Act. Scrap metal is treated as second-hand property under the Second-hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act 2003; last checked 2026-09-02.)
Can I be paid cash for scrap metal in Cairns? +
No cash ban. The Act contains no payment method rules, and the Department of Justice confirmed the 2026 Bill does not include a prohibition on cash payments, describing a cash ban as a future policy matter. (Last checked 2026-09-02.)
Is it worth driving from Cairns to a bigger city for higher brass rates? +
Generally no, unless you have a very large load. Fuel costs from Cairns to Brisbane 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 0.82× rate.