Scrap Metal Prices in Perth
Perth's isolation from East Coast smelters means higher transport costs, which scrap yards pass on as lower payouts. Mining services drive much of the local non-ferrous scrap flow.
Current scrap metal prices in Perth
Spot price equivalents adjusted for Perth's regional rate (0.92×). Actual yard payouts apply the grade-specific payout rate on top — typically 12–78% of spot depending on grade.
| Metal | Sydney spot | Perth equiv. | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | $17.60 | $16.19 | Grades & payouts → |
| Aluminium | $4.60 | $4.23 | Grades & payouts → |
| Brass | $13.28 | $12.22 | Grades & payouts → |
| Steel | $0.42 | $0.39 | Grades & payouts → |
| Stainless Steel | $2.44 | $2.24 | Grades & payouts → |
| Lead | $2.79 | $2.57 | Grades & payouts → |
| Zinc | $4.52 | $4.16 | Grades & payouts → |
| Nickel | $24.22 | $22.28 | Grades & payouts → |
How Perth compares
Scrap yards in Perth pay roughly 8% below the Sydney national benchmark (0.92× regional adjustment). Among Australian capital cities, rates here are closest to Canberra (0.93×). Rates here reflect moderate transport costs to the nearest capital for export and processing.
Other Western Australia scrap markets
Yards across Western Australia pay rates relative to their distance from major smelters and ports.
Popular items: what they're worth in Perth
Estimated scrap value at Perth yards. Assumes properly prepared material (oil drained, copper stripped from motors, refrigerant degassed where required).
Scrap yards in Perth
54 verified scrap yards in the Perth area with addresses, phone numbers, and ratings. Browse all 54 yards →
Frequently asked questions about scrap metal in Perth
Where are the best scrap metal yards in Perth? +
We're building a verified directory of Perth 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 Perth pay less than Sydney for scrap metal? +
The 8% gap to Sydney reflects transport costs. Metal sold in Perth 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 Perth? +
Copper, by a wide margin. Clean bare-bright copper currently pays around $12.63 per kilogram in Perth. 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 Perth scrap yards require photo ID? +
Yes for most non-ferrous metals and always for lead-acid batteries and catalytic converters. Western Australia 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 WA cities have scrap yards? +
Yes — Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and others all have active scrap yards covered on this site.
When is the best time of week to bring a load to a Perth 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 Perth yards close early on weekends or operate reduced hours, so confirm opening times before transport.