Scrap Stainless Steel Prices in Cairns

Today's estimated payouts in Cairns range from $1.09 per kilogram (304 stainless) up to $1.18 (316 stainless). Prices update daily and reflect Cairns's 0.82× regional adjustment from the Sydney benchmark. See the grades table above for all payouts.

We're building a verified directory of Cairns scrap yards. Until that's live, call 2-3 yards in your area before transport. Most Cairns yards accept stainless steel in all common grades, though smaller yards may have minimum weight requirements. For larger loads, also consider yards in Brisbane.

Transport cost. Stainless Steel 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.

Cairns 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.

Yes for any non-ferrous scrap. Queensland 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.

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.