Scrap Aluminium Prices in Katherine
Scrap aluminium in Katherine currently pays from $1.30 per kilogram for aluminium cans (ubc) up to $1.87 for aluminium extrusion. Katherine is a regional centre in Northern Territory, with rates set by transport distance to the nearest capital and smelter network.
Aluminium grades and payouts in Katherine (per kg)
Estimated yard payouts for each grade, based on the current LME spot ($4.44/kg) and Katherine's 0.65× regional adjustment. Actual offers vary by yard, load size, and material quality.
| Grade | Payout rate | Est. mid (AUD/kg) | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium Extrusion Clean, uncoated aluminium profiles used for window and door frames. Highest-paying common aluminium grade. | 65% | $1.87 | $1.59 – $2.16 |
| Cast Aluminium Cast aluminium components, typically thicker and used in automotive or industrial parts. Pays slightly less than extrusion due to alloy variability. | 55% | $1.59 | $1.35 – $1.82 |
| Aluminium Sheet Rolled aluminium sheet, often used in roofing, signage, or vehicle panels. | 50% | $1.44 | $1.23 – $1.66 |
| Aluminium Cans (UBC) Used beverage containers. Lowest aluminium grade because of paint, varnish, and steel-end contamination. Earn more via Container Deposit Scheme if available in your state. | 45% | $1.30 | $1.10 – $1.49 |
Price history
Local Katherine prices track the national aluminium series — multiply by 0.65 for Katherine equivalents. View the full 30-day chart on the national aluminium page.
Where these numbers come from
| Figure | Value | Source | Type | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium spot price | A$4.44/kg | MetalpriceAPI (LME-linked market data) | Market data feed | |
| Katherine regional factor | 0.65× | Our model (freight distance and yard rate differences) | Our estimate | |
| Aluminium grade payout rates | 65% / 55% / 50% / 45% | 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.
Aluminium in Katherine
Katherine is the largest town in the Northern Territory south of Darwin, serving defence (Tindal RAAF Base), pastoral, and mining customers across vast distances. Remoteness drives the lowest payout rates in the directory — yards must transport metal hundreds of kilometres before any further processing.
As a regional centre, Katherine's aluminium flow comes primarily from residential renovations, local trade work, and rural property clearances. Yards in Katherine consolidate volume for shipment to processing facilities in larger centres.
Scrap yards in Katherine that buy aluminium
We don't list any yards in Katherine yet. Search for 'aluminium scrap yard Katherine' or call yards in your area before transporting a load. View directory page →
Frequently asked questions
What's the current price for scrap aluminium in Katherine? +
Today's estimated payouts in Katherine range from $1.30 per kilogram (aluminium cans (ubc)) up to $1.87 (aluminium extrusion). Prices update daily and reflect Katherine's 0.65× regional adjustment from the Sydney benchmark. See the grades table above for all payouts.
Where can I sell scrap aluminium in Katherine? +
Check the Katherine yard directory for addresses and phone numbers, then call 2-3 yards before transport. Most Katherine yards accept aluminium in all common grades, though smaller yards may have minimum weight requirements. For larger loads, also consider yards in Darwin.
Why does Katherine pay 35% less than Sydney for aluminium? +
Transport cost. Aluminium sold in Katherine eventually travels to a smelter or export port — typically via Darwin — and yards price the freight cost into their offer. The 0.65× regional adjustment models this transport drag based on observed yard rates and distance to processing facilities.
How is aluminium graded at Katherine yards? +
Katherine yards use the same grading system as the rest of Australia: Aluminium Extrusion, Cast Aluminium, Aluminium Sheet, Aluminium Cans (UBC). The grade depends on cleanliness, alloy purity, and contamination. See our complete <a href="/metals/aluminium/">Aluminium grading guide</a> for what each grade means, examples, and how to identify it.
Do Katherine 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 Katherine? +
No cash ban was found in the Act or Regulations. (Last checked 2026-09-02.)
Is it worth driving from Katherine to a bigger city for higher aluminium rates? +
Generally no, unless you have a very large load. Fuel costs from Katherine to Darwin 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 0.65× rate.