Scrap Metal Prices in Darwin
Darwin's extreme distance from southern smelters makes it Australia's lowest-payout major market. Most metal ships south or to Asia, with high freight costs deducted from yard offers.
Current scrap metal prices in Darwin
Spot price equivalents adjusted for Darwin's regional rate (0.78×). Actual yard payouts apply the grade-specific payout rate on top — typically 12–78% of spot depending on grade.
| Metal | Sydney spot | Darwin equiv. | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | $17.88 | $13.95 | Grades & payouts → |
| Aluminium | $4.54 | $3.54 | Grades & payouts → |
| Brass | $13.46 | $10.50 | Grades & payouts → |
| Steel | $0.42 | $0.33 | Grades & payouts → |
| Stainless Steel | $2.33 | $1.82 | Grades & payouts → |
| Lead | $2.81 | $2.20 | Grades & payouts → |
| Zinc | $4.49 | $3.50 | Grades & payouts → |
| Nickel | $22.91 | $17.87 | Grades & payouts → |
How Darwin compares
Scrap yards in Darwin pay roughly 22% below the Sydney national benchmark (0.78× regional adjustment). Among Australian capital cities, rates here are closest to Hobart (0.85×). The lower payout reflects Darwin's distance from major smelters and ports — transport costs to processing facilities reduce what yards can pay sellers.
Other Northern Territory scrap markets
Yards across Northern Territory pay rates relative to their distance from major smelters and ports.
Popular items: what they're worth in Darwin
Estimated scrap value at Darwin yards. Assumes properly prepared material (oil drained, copper stripped from motors, refrigerant degassed where required).
Scrap yards in Darwin
3 verified scrap yards in the Darwin area with addresses, phone numbers, and ratings. Browse all 3 yards →
Frequently asked questions about scrap metal in Darwin
Where are the best scrap metal yards in Darwin? +
We're building a verified directory of Darwin 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 Darwin pay less than Sydney for scrap metal? +
The 22% gap to Sydney reflects transport costs. Metal sold in Darwin 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 Darwin? +
Copper, by a wide margin. Clean bare-bright copper currently pays around $10.88 per kilogram in Darwin. 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 Darwin scrap yards require photo ID? +
Yes for most non-ferrous metals and always for lead-acid batteries and catalytic converters. Northern 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.
What other NT cities have scrap yards? +
Yes — Alice Springs, Katherine all have active scrap yards covered on this site.
When is the best time of week to bring a load to a Darwin 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 Darwin yards close early on weekends or operate reduced hours, so confirm opening times before transport.