Scrap Steel Prices in Darwin
Scrap steel in Darwin currently pays from $0.04 per kilogram for light steel up to $0.06 for heavy melting steel (hms). As the capital of Northern Territory, Darwin has the densest scrap yard network in the territory.
Steel grades and payouts in Darwin (per kg)
Estimated yard payouts for each grade, based on the current LME spot ($0.42/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Melting Steel (HMS) Steel at least 6mm thick. Standard ferrous grade for export markets. | 18% | $0.06 | $0.05 – $0.07 |
| Light Steel Thinner sheet steel, appliance cabinets, light gauge profiles. | 12% | $0.04 | $0.03 – $0.05 |
Price history
Local Darwin prices track the national steel series — multiply by 0.78 for Darwin equivalents. View the full 30-day chart on the national steel page.
Where these numbers come from
| Figure | Value | Source | Type | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel spot price | A$0.42/kg | Fixed site estimate of A$0.42/kg | Fixed estimate, not a market feed | |
| Darwin regional factor | 0.78× | Our model (freight distance and yard rate differences) | Our estimate | |
| Steel grade payout rates | 18% / 12% | 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. Set when the site launched on 2026-05-16 and not updated since. No live steel scrap price feed is used. Full detail: methodology.
Steel 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 steel grades. Industrial demolition, residential renovations, and trade volumes from electricians, plumbers, and panel beaters provide consistent supply.
Scrap yards in Darwin that buy steel
3 scrap yards listed in the Darwin area. Browse all yards in Darwin →
Frequently asked questions
What's the current price for scrap steel in Darwin? +
Today's estimated payouts in Darwin range from $0.04 per kilogram (light steel) up to $0.06 (heavy melting steel (hms)). 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 steel in Darwin? +
Check the Darwin yard directory for addresses and phone numbers, then call 2-3 yards before transport. Most Darwin yards accept steel in all common grades, though smaller yards may have minimum weight requirements.
Why does Darwin pay 22% less than Sydney for steel? +
Transport cost. Steel 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 steel graded at Darwin yards? +
Darwin yards use the same grading system as the rest of Australia: Heavy Melting Steel (HMS), Light Steel. The grade depends on cleanliness, alloy purity, and contamination. See our complete <a href="/metals/steel/">Steel 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 steel 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.