Scrap Copper Prices in Port Macquarie
Scrap copper in Port Macquarie currently pays from $4.00 per kilogram for insulated copper wire up to $12.47 for bare bright copper. Port Macquarie is a regional centre in New South Wales, with rates set by transport distance to the nearest capital and smelter network.
Copper grades and payouts in Port Macquarie (per kg)
Estimated yard payouts for each grade, based on the current LME spot ($18.16/kg) and Port Macquarie's 0.88× 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% | $12.47 | $10.60 – $14.34 |
| #1 Copper Clean, unalloyed copper that may have minor oxidation. No solder, paint, or attachments. | 70% | $11.19 | $9.51 – $12.87 |
| #2 Copper Copper with some tarnish, soldered joints, paint, or light contamination. Still valuable but pays less than clean grades. | 58% | $9.27 | $7.88 – $10.66 |
| Insulated Copper Wire Copper wire still wrapped in plastic or rubber insulation. The yard pays based on estimated copper content after stripping. | 25% | $4.00 | $3.40 – $4.60 |
Price history
Local Port Macquarie prices track the national copper series — multiply by 0.88 for Port Macquarie equivalents. View the full 30-day chart on the national copper page.
Copper in Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie's mid-North Coast market is residential and trade-led, with most heavier loads moving south to Newcastle.
As a regional centre, Port Macquarie's copper flow comes primarily from residential renovations, local trade work, and rural property clearances. Yards in Port Macquarie consolidate volume for shipment to processing facilities in larger centres.
Scrap yards in Port Macquarie that buy copper
4 verified scrap yards in the Port Macquarie area. Browse all yards in Port Macquarie →
Frequently asked questions
What's the current price for scrap copper in Port Macquarie? +
Today's estimated payouts in Port Macquarie range from $4.00 per kilogram (insulated copper wire) up to $12.47 (bare bright copper). Prices update daily and reflect Port Macquarie's 0.88× regional adjustment from the Sydney benchmark. See the grades table above for all payouts.
Where can I sell scrap copper in Port Macquarie? +
We're building a verified directory of Port Macquarie scrap yards. Until that's live, call 2-3 yards in your area before transport. Most Port Macquarie yards accept copper in all common grades, though smaller yards may have minimum weight requirements. For larger loads, also consider yards in Sydney.
Why does Port Macquarie pay 12% less than Sydney for copper? +
Transport cost. Copper sold in Port Macquarie eventually travels to a smelter or export port — typically via Sydney — and yards price the freight cost into their offer. The 0.88× regional adjustment models this transport drag based on observed yard rates and distance to processing facilities.
How is copper graded at Port Macquarie yards? +
Port Macquarie 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 I need ID to sell copper at a Port Macquarie yard? +
Yes for any non-trivial copper or brass load. New South Wales legislation requires yards to record seller ID on regulated transactions to deter metal theft. Bring a driver's licence or other photo ID. Cash payments above certain thresholds may require additional documentation.
Is it worth driving from Port Macquarie to a bigger city for higher copper rates? +
Generally no, unless you have a very large load. Fuel costs from Port Macquarie to Sydney 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 0.88× rate.