Scrap Copper Prices in Townsville
Scrap copper in Townsville currently pays from $3.84 per kilogram for insulated copper wire up to $11.99 for bare bright copper. Townsville is a regional centre in Queensland, with rates set by transport distance to the nearest capital and smelter network.
Copper grades and payouts in Townsville (per kg)
Estimated yard payouts for each grade, based on the current LME spot ($17.88/kg) and Townsville's 0.86× 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% | $11.99 | $10.19 – $13.79 |
| #1 Copper Clean, unalloyed copper that may have minor oxidation. No solder, paint, or attachments. | 70% | $10.76 | $9.15 – $12.38 |
| #2 Copper Copper with some tarnish, soldered joints, paint, or light contamination. Still valuable but pays less than clean grades. | 58% | $8.92 | $7.58 – $10.26 |
| Insulated Copper Wire Copper wire still wrapped in plastic or rubber insulation. The yard pays based on estimated copper content after stripping. | 25% | $3.84 | $3.27 – $4.42 |
Price history
Local Townsville prices track the national copper series — multiply by 0.86 for Townsville equivalents. View the full 30-day chart on the national copper page.
Copper 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.
As a regional centre, Townsville's copper flow comes primarily from residential renovations, local trade work, and rural property clearances. Yards in Townsville consolidate volume for shipment to processing facilities in larger centres.
Scrap yards in Townsville that buy copper
7 verified scrap yards in the Townsville area. Browse all yards in Townsville →
Frequently asked questions
What's the current price for scrap copper in Townsville? +
Today's estimated payouts in Townsville range from $3.84 per kilogram (insulated copper wire) up to $11.99 (bare bright copper). Prices update daily and reflect Townsville's 0.86× regional adjustment from the Sydney benchmark. See the grades table above for all payouts.
Where can I sell scrap copper in Townsville? +
We're building a verified directory of Townsville scrap yards. Until that's live, call 2-3 yards in your area before transport. Most Townsville yards accept copper in all common grades, though smaller yards may have minimum weight requirements. For larger loads, also consider yards in Brisbane.
Why does Townsville pay 14% less than Sydney for copper? +
Transport cost. Copper sold in Townsville eventually travels to a smelter or export port — typically via Brisbane — and yards price the freight cost into their offer. The 0.86× regional adjustment models this transport drag based on observed yard rates and distance to processing facilities.
How is copper graded at Townsville yards? +
Townsville 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 Townsville yard? +
Yes for any non-trivial copper or brass load. Queensland 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 Townsville to a bigger city for higher copper rates? +
Generally no, unless you have a very large load. Fuel costs from Townsville to Brisbane 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 0.86× rate.