Scrap Metal Prices in Melbourne
Melbourne's scrap industry is concentrated in the western and northern suburbs — Laverton, Brooklyn, Sunshine, Campbellfield. The Port of Melbourne handles a large share of Australia's metal exports, keeping wholesale prices competitive.
Current scrap metal prices in Melbourne
Spot price equivalents adjusted for Melbourne's regional rate (0.98×). Actual yard payouts apply the grade-specific payout rate on top — typically 12–78% of spot depending on grade.
| Metal | Sydney spot | Melbourne equiv. | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | $17.88 | $17.52 | Grades & payouts → |
| Aluminium | $4.54 | $4.45 | Grades & payouts → |
| Brass | $13.46 | $13.19 | Grades & payouts → |
| Steel | $0.42 | $0.41 | Grades & payouts → |
| Stainless Steel | $2.33 | $2.29 | Grades & payouts → |
| Lead | $2.81 | $2.76 | Grades & payouts → |
| Zinc | $4.49 | $4.40 | Grades & payouts → |
| Nickel | $22.91 | $22.45 | Grades & payouts → |
How Melbourne compares
Scrap yards in Melbourne pay roughly 2% below the Sydney national benchmark (0.98× regional adjustment). Among Australian capital cities, rates here are closest to Brisbane (0.97×). Proximity to major ports and smelter networks keeps Melbourne's rates close to the national best.
Other Victoria scrap markets
Yards across Victoria pay rates relative to their distance from major smelters and ports.
Popular items: what they're worth in Melbourne
Estimated scrap value at Melbourne yards. Assumes properly prepared material (oil drained, copper stripped from motors, refrigerant degassed where required).
Scrap yards in Melbourne
87 verified scrap yards in the Melbourne area with addresses, phone numbers, and ratings. Browse all 87 yards →
Frequently asked questions about scrap metal in Melbourne
Where are the best scrap metal yards in Melbourne? +
We're building a verified directory of Melbourne 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 Melbourne pay less than Sydney for scrap metal? +
The 2% gap to Sydney reflects transport costs. Metal sold in Melbourne 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 Melbourne? +
Copper, by a wide margin. Clean bare-bright copper currently pays around $13.67 per kilogram in Melbourne. 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 Melbourne scrap yards require photo ID? +
Yes for most non-ferrous metals and always for lead-acid batteries and catalytic converters. Victoria 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 VIC cities have scrap yards? +
Yes — Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, and others all have active scrap yards covered on this site.
When is the best time of week to bring a load to a Melbourne 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 Melbourne yards close early on weekends or operate reduced hours, so confirm opening times before transport.