Scrap Copper Prices in Darwin
Scrap copper in Darwin currently pays from $3.51 per kilogram for insulated copper wire up to $10.95 for bare bright copper. As the capital of Northern Territory, Darwin has the densest scrap yard network in the territory.
Copper grades and payouts in Darwin (per kg)
Estimated yard payouts for each grade, based on the current LME spot ($17.99/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Bright Copper Stripped, uncoated copper wire of 16 gauge or thicker, with no oxidation or tarnish. Pays the highest price of any common scrap. | 78% | $10.95 | $9.30 – $12.59 |
| #1 Copper Clean, unalloyed copper that may have minor oxidation. No solder, paint, or attachments. | 70% | $9.82 | $8.35 – $11.30 |
| #2 Copper Copper with some tarnish, soldered joints, paint, or light contamination. Still valuable but pays less than clean grades. | 58% | $8.14 | $6.92 – $9.36 |
| Insulated Copper Wire Copper wire still wrapped in plastic or rubber insulation. The yard pays based on estimated copper content after stripping. | 25% | $3.51 | $2.98 – $4.03 |
Price history
Local Darwin prices track the national copper series — multiply by 0.78 for Darwin equivalents. View the full 30-day chart on the national copper page.
Copper 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 copper grades. Industrial demolition, residential renovations, and trade volumes from electricians, plumbers, and panel beaters provide consistent supply.
Scrap yards in Darwin that buy copper
3 verified scrap yards in the Darwin area. Browse all yards in Darwin →
Frequently asked questions
What's the current price for scrap copper in Darwin? +
Today's estimated payouts in Darwin range from $3.51 per kilogram (insulated copper wire) up to $10.95 (bare bright copper). 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 copper in Darwin? +
We're building a verified directory of Darwin scrap yards. Until that's live, call 2-3 yards in your area before transport. Most Darwin yards accept copper in all common grades, though smaller yards may have minimum weight requirements.
Why does Darwin pay 22% less than Sydney for copper? +
Transport cost. Copper 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 copper graded at Darwin yards? +
Darwin yards use the same grading system as the rest of Australia: Bare Bright Copper, #1 Copper, #2 Copper, Insulated Copper Wire. The grade depends on cleanliness, alloy purity, and contamination. See our complete <a href="/metals/copper/">Copper grading guide</a> for what each grade means, examples, and how to identify it.
Do I need ID to sell copper at a Darwin yard? +
Yes for any non-trivial copper or brass load. Northern Territory 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.
Is it worth driving from Darwin to a bigger city for higher copper 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.