Scrap Brass Prices in Darwin
Scrap brass in Darwin currently pays from $6.57 per kilogram for plumbing brass up to $7.77 for red brass. As the capital of Northern Territory, Darwin has the densest scrap yard network in the territory.
Brass grades and payouts in Darwin (per kg)
Estimated yard payouts for each grade, based on the current LME spot ($15.32/kg) and Darwin's 0.78× 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% | $7.17 | $6.09 – $8.24 |
| Red Brass Higher copper content (~85%), reddish tinge. Pays more than yellow brass. | 65% | $7.77 | $6.60 – $8.93 |
| Plumbing Brass Brass with soldered joints or steel attachments — needs extra processing to separate. Pays less than clean yellow. | 55% | $6.57 | $5.59 – $7.56 |
Price history
Local Darwin prices track the national brass series — multiply by 0.78 for Darwin 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$15.32/kg | Calculated: 67% copper + 33% zinc (MetalpriceAPI) | Our calculation from feed prices | |
| Darwin regional factor | 0.78× | 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 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.
As a capital city, Darwin has the densest scrap yard concentration in Northern Territory, with active buyers for all common brass grades. Industrial demolition, residential renovations, and trade volumes from electricians, plumbers, and panel beaters provide consistent supply.
Scrap yards in Darwin that buy brass
3 scrap yards listed in the Darwin area. Browse all yards in Darwin →
Frequently asked questions
What's the current price for scrap brass in Darwin? +
Today's estimated payouts in Darwin range from $6.57 per kilogram (plumbing brass) up to $7.77 (red brass). Prices update daily and reflect Darwin's 0.78× regional adjustment from the Sydney benchmark. See the grades table above for all payouts.
Where can I sell scrap brass in Darwin? +
Check the Darwin yard directory for addresses and phone numbers, then call 2-3 yards before transport. Most Darwin yards accept brass in all common grades, though smaller yards may have minimum weight requirements.
Why does Darwin pay 22% less than Sydney for brass? +
Transport cost. Brass 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. The 0.78× regional adjustment models this transport drag based on observed yard rates and distance to processing facilities.
How is brass graded at Darwin yards? +
Darwin 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 Darwin scrap yards require photo ID? +
For goods covered by the Act (such as gold and silver), section 277 requires the dealer to record the seller's full name and residential address and verify identity with a passport (current or expired less than 24 months), a photo driver licence, or other prescribed means. For ordinary scrap metal there is no statutory ID requirement in the Act or Regulations, although yards may still ask for ID. (No scrap-specific Act. Part 14 of the Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Act 1990 licenses second-hand dealers; last checked 2026-09-02.)
Can I be paid cash for scrap metal in Darwin? +
No cash ban was found in the Act or Regulations. (Last checked 2026-09-02.)
Is it worth driving from Darwin to a bigger city for higher brass rates? +
Generally no, unless you have a very large load. Fuel costs from Darwin to the nearest capital 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 0.78× rate.