Scrap Lead Prices in Cairns
Scrap lead in Cairns currently pays from $0.68 per kilogram for lead-acid batteries up to $1.13 for soft lead. Cairns is a regional centre in Queensland, with rates set by transport distance to the nearest capital and smelter network.
Lead grades and payouts in Cairns (per kg)
Estimated yard payouts for each grade, based on the current LME spot ($2.75/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft Lead Pure lead in pipe, sheet, or ingot form. | 50% | $1.13 | $0.96 – $1.30 |
| Lead-Acid Batteries Whole batteries, priced per kilogram including casing and acid. Yards may have minimum quantities. | 30% | $0.68 | $0.58 – $0.78 |
Price history
Local Cairns prices track the national lead series — multiply by 0.82 for Cairns 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$2.75/kg | MetalpriceAPI (LME-linked market data) | Market data feed | |
| Cairns regional factor | 0.82× | 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 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 lead 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 lead
4 scrap yards listed in the Cairns area. Browse all yards in Cairns →
Frequently asked questions
What's the current price for scrap lead in Cairns? +
Today's estimated payouts in Cairns range from $0.68 per kilogram (lead-acid batteries) up to $1.13 (soft lead). 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 lead in Cairns? +
Check the Cairns yard directory for addresses and phone numbers, then call 2-3 yards before transport. Most Cairns yards accept lead 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 lead? +
Transport cost. Lead 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 lead graded at Cairns yards? +
Cairns 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 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 lead 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.