Scrap Metal Prices in Canberra
Canberra has a smaller scrap market than its population suggests — limited heavy industry means most volume comes from government surplus, demolition, and residential. Several yards in Mitchell and Hume.
Current scrap metal prices in Canberra
Spot price equivalents adjusted for Canberra's regional rate (0.93×). Actual yard payouts apply the grade-specific payout rate on top — typically 12–78% of spot depending on grade.
| Metal | Sydney spot | Canberra equiv. | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | $17.88 | $16.63 | Grades & payouts → |
| Aluminium | $4.54 | $4.22 | Grades & payouts → |
| Brass | $13.46 | $12.52 | Grades & payouts → |
| Steel | $0.42 | $0.39 | Grades & payouts → |
| Stainless Steel | $2.33 | $2.17 | Grades & payouts → |
| Lead | $2.81 | $2.62 | Grades & payouts → |
| Zinc | $4.49 | $4.18 | Grades & payouts → |
| Nickel | $22.91 | $21.30 | Grades & payouts → |
How Canberra compares
Scrap yards in Canberra pay roughly 7% below the Sydney national benchmark (0.93× regional adjustment). Among Australian capital cities, rates here are closest to Perth (0.92×). Rates here reflect moderate transport costs to the nearest capital for export and processing.
Popular items: what they're worth in Canberra
Estimated scrap value at Canberra yards. Assumes properly prepared material (oil drained, copper stripped from motors, refrigerant degassed where required).
Scrap yards in Canberra
6 verified scrap yards in the Canberra area with addresses, phone numbers, and ratings. Browse all 6 yards →
Frequently asked questions about scrap metal in Canberra
Where are the best scrap metal yards in Canberra? +
We're building a verified directory of Canberra scrap yards with hours, accepted metals, and seller reports. Until that's live, the practical approach is to call 2-3 yards in your area before transporting a load — published rates are useful guides but actual offers vary by day, load size, and material quality.
Why does Canberra pay less than Sydney for scrap metal? +
The 7% gap to Sydney reflects transport costs. Metal sold in Canberra eventually travels to a smelter or export port — typically via the state capital — and yards price the freight cost into their offer. Our regional adjustment is modelled from observed yard rates plus distance to processing facilities.
What's the highest-paying scrap metal in Canberra? +
Copper, by a wide margin. Clean bare-bright copper currently pays around $12.97 per kilogram in Canberra. Brass and aluminium follow, with steel paying the least per kilogram but compensating through volume — most ferrous loads are weighed on commercial weighbridges where small differences in rate matter less than tonnage.
Do Canberra scrap yards require photo ID? +
Yes for most non-ferrous metals and always for lead-acid batteries and catalytic converters. Australian Capital Territory legislation requires yards to record seller identification on regulated transactions, primarily to deter metal theft. A driver's licence is the most commonly accepted form. Cash payments above certain thresholds may require additional documentation under state-specific regulations.
Are there other scrap markets near Canberra? +
Canberra is the main scrap market in its state for now. Larger loads may be worth transporting interstate if the freight cost is offset by a meaningfully better payout — particularly for high-value loads like clean copper.
When is the best time of week to bring a load to a Canberra yard? +
Tuesday through Thursday mornings generally produce the best experience. Yards are less crowded than Mondays (when weekend volume arrives), prices are stable mid-week, and weighbridge wait times are shorter. Many Canberra yards close early on weekends or operate reduced hours, so confirm opening times before transport.