Scrap Copper Prices in Sydney
Scrap copper in Sydney currently pays from $4.54 per kilogram for insulated copper wire up to $14.17 for bare bright copper. As the capital of New South Wales, Sydney has the densest scrap yard network in the state.
Copper grades and payouts in Sydney (per kg)
Estimated yard payouts for each grade, based on the current LME spot ($18.16/kg) and Sydney's 1.00× 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% | $14.17 | $12.04 – $16.29 |
| #1 Copper Clean, unalloyed copper that may have minor oxidation. No solder, paint, or attachments. | 70% | $12.71 | $10.81 – $14.62 |
| #2 Copper Copper with some tarnish, soldered joints, paint, or light contamination. Still valuable but pays less than clean grades. | 58% | $10.54 | $8.95 – $12.12 |
| Insulated Copper Wire Copper wire still wrapped in plastic or rubber insulation. The yard pays based on estimated copper content after stripping. | 25% | $4.54 | $3.86 – $5.22 |
Price history
Local Sydney prices track the national copper series — multiply by 1.00 for Sydney equivalents. View the full 30-day chart on the national copper page.
Copper 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.
As a capital city, Sydney has the densest scrap yard concentration in New South Wales, 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 Sydney that buy copper
80 verified scrap yards in the Sydney area. Browse all yards in Sydney →
Frequently asked questions
What's the current price for scrap copper in Sydney? +
Today's estimated payouts in Sydney range from $4.54 per kilogram (insulated copper wire) up to $14.17 (bare bright copper). Prices update daily and reflect Sydney's 1.00× regional adjustment from the Sydney benchmark. See the grades table above for all payouts.
Where can I sell scrap copper in Sydney? +
We're building a verified directory of Sydney scrap yards. Until that's live, call 2-3 yards in your area before transport. Most Sydney yards accept copper in all common grades, though smaller yards may have minimum weight requirements.
Why does Sydney typically pay the highest scrap copper rates? +
Sydney is the national benchmark for all scrap metal payouts. Dense buyer competition, the Port of Sydney for export, and short transport distances to major smelters keep rates the highest in Australia. Copper specifically benefits from this because non-ferrous metals export through Sydney in significant volumes.
How is copper graded at Sydney yards? +
Sydney 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 Sydney 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 Sydney to a bigger city for higher copper rates? +
Sydney rates are already at or near the national best (1.00× regional adjustment). Driving to another city is unlikely to produce a meaningful upside for copper sales.