Scrap Metal Prices in Sydney
Sydney has Australia's largest scrap metal market by volume, driven by construction in Greater Sydney and large industrial activity in Western Sydney corridors like Wetherill Park, Silverwater, and Liverpool. Competition between yards keeps payouts close to national benchmarks.
Current scrap metal prices in Sydney
Spot price equivalents adjusted for Sydney's regional rate (1.00×). Actual yard payouts apply the grade-specific payout rate on top — typically 12–78% of spot depending on grade.
| Metal | Sydney spot | Sydney equiv. | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | $17.60 | $17.60 | Grades & payouts → |
| Aluminium | $4.60 | $4.60 | Grades & payouts → |
| Brass | $13.28 | $13.28 | Grades & payouts → |
| Steel | $0.42 | $0.42 | Grades & payouts → |
| Stainless Steel | $2.44 | $2.44 | Grades & payouts → |
| Lead | $2.79 | $2.79 | Grades & payouts → |
| Zinc | $4.52 | $4.52 | Grades & payouts → |
| Nickel | $24.22 | $24.22 | Grades & payouts → |
How Sydney compares
Sydney is the national benchmark for scrap metal payouts in Australia (1.00× regional adjustment). The city has the densest concentration of yards in the country, driven by Greater Sydney's construction activity and large industrial corridors in the west and south-west.
Other New South Wales scrap markets
Yards across New South Wales pay rates relative to their distance from major smelters and ports.
Popular items: what they're worth in Sydney
Estimated scrap value at Sydney yards. Assumes properly prepared material (oil drained, copper stripped from motors, refrigerant degassed where required).
Scrap yards in Sydney
80 verified scrap yards in the Sydney area with addresses, phone numbers, and ratings. Browse all 80 yards →
Frequently asked questions about scrap metal in Sydney
Where are the best scrap metal yards in Sydney? +
We're building a verified directory of Sydney 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 Sydney pay the highest scrap metal rates in Australia? +
Sydney sets the national benchmark because of its dense buyer network, the Port of Sydney for export-bound metal, and short transport distances to most domestic smelters. Other cities adjust downward based on freight cost back to Sydney or to the nearest port.
What's the highest-paying scrap metal in Sydney? +
Copper, by a wide margin. Clean bare-bright copper currently pays around $13.73 per kilogram in Sydney. 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 Sydney scrap yards require photo ID? +
Yes for most non-ferrous metals and always for lead-acid batteries and catalytic converters. New South Wales 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 NSW cities have scrap yards? +
Yes — Albury, Central Coast, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, and others all have active scrap yards covered on this site.
When is the best time of week to bring a load to a Sydney 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 Sydney yards close early on weekends or operate reduced hours, so confirm opening times before transport.