New South Wales · Regional centre · 0.88× regional adjustment

Scrap Stainless Steel Prices in Port Macquarie

Scrap stainless steel in Port Macquarie currently pays from $1.16 per kilogram for 304 stainless up to $1.27 for 316 stainless. Port Macquarie is a regional centre in New South Wales, with rates set by transport distance to the nearest capital and smelter network.

Stainless Steel grades and payouts in Port Macquarie (per kg)

Estimated yard payouts for each grade, based on the current LME spot ($2.40/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
304 Stainless
The most common stainless grade — 18% chromium, 8% nickel. Used in kitchen sinks, food equipment, and general fabrication.
55% $1.16 $0.99 – $1.34
316 Stainless
Marine grade — adds 2-3% molybdenum to 304's composition for higher corrosion resistance. Pays more due to molybdenum content.
60% $1.27 $1.08 – $1.46

Price history

Local Port Macquarie prices track the national stainless steel series — multiply by 0.88 for Port Macquarie equivalents. View the full 30-day chart on the national stainless steel page.

Where these numbers come from

Figure Value Source Type Checked
Stainless Steel spot price A$2.40/kg Calculated: 8% nickel (MetalpriceAPI) + a fixed A$0.50/kg chromium allowance Our calculation, partly a fixed estimate
Port Macquarie regional factor 0.88× Our model (freight distance and yard rate differences) Our estimate
Stainless Steel grade payout rates 55% / 60% 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. The chromium allowance is a fixed figure set on 2026-05-16, not a market price. Full detail: methodology.

Stainless Steel 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 stainless steel 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 stainless steel

4 scrap yards listed in the Port Macquarie area. Browse all yards in Port Macquarie →

Frequently asked questions

What's the current price for scrap stainless steel in Port Macquarie? +

Today's estimated payouts in Port Macquarie range from $1.16 per kilogram (304 stainless) up to $1.27 (316 stainless). 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 stainless steel in Port Macquarie? +

Check the Port Macquarie yard directory for addresses and phone numbers, then call 2-3 yards before transport. Most Port Macquarie yards accept stainless steel 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 stainless steel? +

Transport cost. Stainless Steel 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 stainless steel graded at Port Macquarie yards? +

Port Macquarie yards use the same grading system as the rest of Australia: 304 Stainless, 316 Stainless. The grade depends on cleanliness, alloy purity, and contamination. See our complete <a href="/metals/stainless/">Stainless Steel grading guide</a> for what each grade means, examples, and how to identify it.

Do Port Macquarie scrap yards require photo ID? +

Yes, for every sale. The dealer must record each transaction including the parties involved, and the Regulation prescribes the photo identification a seller can use: an Australian driver licence (NSW or another jurisdiction), a NSW Photo Card, or a foreign driver licence subject to conditions. No weight or value threshold is set out in the sources reviewed. (Scrap Metal Industry Act 2016 and Scrap Metal Industry Regulation 2024; last checked 2026-09-02.)

Can I be paid cash for scrap metal in Port Macquarie? +

Cash is banned. Section 12 of the Act prohibits a dealer paying for scrap metal with cash, a cheque payable to cash, or in kind, and from advertising cash payment. All trade must be paid electronically or by cheque. The 2020 statutory review paper lists a $1,100 penalty notice for the dealer. (Last checked 2026-09-02.)

Is it worth driving from Port Macquarie to a bigger city for higher stainless steel 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.

Other metals in Port Macquarie

Stainless Steel in other cities