Scrap Copper Prices in Perth
Scrap copper in Perth currently pays from $4.64 per kilogram for insulated copper wire up to $14.48 for bare bright copper. As the capital of Western Australia, Perth has the densest scrap yard network in the state.
Copper grades and payouts in Perth (per kg)
Estimated yard payouts for each grade, based on the current LME spot ($20.17/kg) and Perth's 0.92× 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% | $14.48 | $12.31 – $16.65 |
| #1 Copper Clean, unalloyed copper that may have minor oxidation. No solder, paint, or attachments. | 70% | $12.99 | $11.04 – $14.94 |
| #2 Copper Copper with some tarnish, soldered joints, paint, or light contamination. Still valuable but pays less than clean grades. | 58% | $10.77 | $9.15 – $12.38 |
| Insulated Copper Wire Copper wire still wrapped in plastic or rubber insulation. The yard pays based on estimated copper content after stripping. | 25% | $4.64 | $3.94 – $5.34 |
Price history
Local Perth prices track the national copper series — multiply by 0.92 for Perth equivalents. View the full 30-day chart on the national copper page.
Where these numbers come from
| Figure | Value | Source | Type | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper spot price | A$20.17/kg | MetalpriceAPI (LME-linked market data) | Market data feed | |
| Perth regional factor | 0.92× | Our model (freight distance and yard rate differences) | Our estimate | |
| Copper grade payout rates | 78% / 70% / 58% / 25% | 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.
Copper 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.
As a capital city, Perth has the densest scrap yard concentration in Western Australia, 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 Perth that buy copper
54 scrap yards listed in the Perth area. Browse all yards in Perth →
Frequently asked questions
What's the current price for scrap copper in Perth? +
Today's estimated payouts in Perth range from $4.64 per kilogram (insulated copper wire) up to $14.48 (bare bright copper). Prices update daily and reflect Perth's 0.92× regional adjustment from the Sydney benchmark. See the grades table above for all payouts.
Where can I sell scrap copper in Perth? +
Check the Perth yard directory for addresses and phone numbers, then call 2-3 yards before transport. Most Perth yards accept copper in all common grades, though smaller yards may have minimum weight requirements.
Why does Perth pay 8% less than Sydney for copper? +
Transport cost. Copper 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. The 0.92× regional adjustment models this transport drag based on observed yard rates and distance to processing facilities.
How is copper graded at Perth yards? +
Perth 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 Perth scrap yards require photo ID? +
For copper, copper alloy, gold or silver, the licensed dealer must verify the seller's identity to at least 100 points using the checks in regulation 13 (photo documents score higher). For steel, aluminium and other scrap outside the Act no statutory ID requirement was found, although yards may set their own. (No scrap-specific Act. The Pawnbrokers and Second-hand Dealers Act 1994 and Regulations 1996 apply; last checked 2026-09-02.)
Can I be paid cash for scrap metal in Perth? +
No cash ban. The licensing change that took effect on 1 December 2020 did not stop cash payment (as reported by the building industry's PACT Site Security), although licensed dealers must record and report copper and copper alloy transactions. (Last checked 2026-09-02.)
Is it worth driving from Perth to a bigger city for higher copper rates? +
Generally no, unless you have a very large load. Fuel costs from Perth 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 0.92× rate.