Scrap Metal Prices in Townsville
Townsville hosts Sun Metals' zinc refinery and a deep-water port, giving non-ferrous scrap a strong local outlet. Mining services keep volume consistent year-round.
Current scrap metal prices in Townsville
Spot price equivalents adjusted for Townsville's regional rate (0.86×). Actual yard payouts apply the grade-specific payout rate on top — typically 12–78% of spot depending on grade.
| Metal | Sydney spot | Townsville equiv. | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | $17.88 | $15.38 | Grades & payouts → |
| Aluminium | $4.54 | $3.91 | Grades & payouts → |
| Brass | $13.46 | $11.58 | Grades & payouts → |
| Steel | $0.42 | $0.36 | Grades & payouts → |
| Stainless Steel | $2.33 | $2.01 | Grades & payouts → |
| Lead | $2.81 | $2.42 | Grades & payouts → |
| Zinc | $4.49 | $3.86 | Grades & payouts → |
| Nickel | $22.91 | $19.70 | Grades & payouts → |
How Townsville compares
Scrap yards in Townsville pay roughly 14% below the Sydney national benchmark (0.86× regional adjustment). Among Australian regional centres, rates here are closest to Hervey Bay (0.86×). Rates here reflect moderate transport costs to Brisbane for export and processing.
Other Queensland scrap markets
Yards across Queensland pay rates relative to their distance from major smelters and ports. Brisbane is the state capital and typically has the most competitive rates in the state.
Popular items: what they're worth in Townsville
Estimated scrap value at Townsville yards. Assumes properly prepared material (oil drained, copper stripped from motors, refrigerant degassed where required).
Scrap yards in Townsville
7 verified scrap yards in the Townsville area with addresses, phone numbers, and ratings. Browse all 7 yards →
Frequently asked questions about scrap metal in Townsville
Where are the best scrap metal yards in Townsville? +
We're building a verified directory of Townsville 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 Townsville pay less than Sydney for scrap metal? +
The 14% gap to Sydney reflects transport costs. Metal sold in Townsville eventually travels to a smelter or export port — typically via Brisbane — and yards price the freight cost into their offer. Our regional adjustment is modelled from observed yard rates plus distance to processing facilities.
What's the highest-paying scrap metal in Townsville? +
Copper, by a wide margin. Clean bare-bright copper currently pays around $11.99 per kilogram in Townsville. 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 Townsville scrap yards require photo ID? +
Yes for most non-ferrous metals and always for lead-acid batteries and catalytic converters. Queensland 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 QLD cities have scrap yards? +
Yes — Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Gladstone, and others all have active scrap yards covered on this site. Brisbane (the Queensland capital) generally has the most yards and most competitive rates in the state.
When is the best time of week to bring a load to a Townsville 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 Townsville yards close early on weekends or operate reduced hours, so confirm opening times before transport.