Scrap Steel Prices in Perth
Scrap steel in Perth currently pays from $0.05 per kilogram for light steel up to $0.07 for heavy melting steel (hms). As the capital of Western Australia, Perth has the densest scrap yard network in the state.
Steel grades and payouts in Perth (per kg)
Estimated yard payouts for each grade, based on the current LME spot ($0.42/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Melting Steel (HMS) Steel at least 6mm thick. Standard ferrous grade for export markets. | 18% | $0.07 | $0.06 – $0.08 |
| Light Steel Thinner sheet steel, appliance cabinets, light gauge profiles. | 12% | $0.05 | $0.04 – $0.05 |
Price history
Local Perth prices track the national steel series — multiply by 0.92 for Perth 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 | |
| Perth regional factor | 0.92× | 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 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 steel grades. Industrial demolition, residential renovations, and trade volumes from electricians, plumbers, and panel beaters provide consistent supply.
Scrap yards in Perth that buy steel
54 scrap yards listed in the Perth area. Browse all yards in Perth →
Frequently asked questions
What's the current price for scrap steel in Perth? +
Today's estimated payouts in Perth range from $0.05 per kilogram (light steel) up to $0.07 (heavy melting steel (hms)). 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 steel in Perth? +
Check the Perth yard directory for addresses and phone numbers, then call 2-3 yards before transport. Most Perth yards accept steel in all common grades, though smaller yards may have minimum weight requirements.
Why does Perth pay 8% less than Sydney for steel? +
Transport cost. Steel 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 steel graded at Perth yards? +
Perth 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 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 steel 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.