Scrap Stainless Steel Prices in Australia
Stainless steel contains nickel and chromium, which give it corrosion resistance and a higher scrap value than plain carbon steel. The non-magnetic grades (300 series) pay several times the rate of regular steel, and yards reward sellers who separate stainless from mixed ferrous loads. The most important household test is the magnet — most stainless drum and sink material is non-magnetic, distinguishing it instantly from the surrounding steel cabinet.
30-day price trend
Stainless Steel grades and Sydney payouts (per kg)
Estimated yard payouts in Sydney. Other cities adjust by ±5–20% depending on transport distance to smelters.
| 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% | $1.31 | $1.11 – $1.51 |
| 316 Stainless Marine grade — adds 2-3% molybdenum to 304's composition for higher corrosion resistance. Pays more due to molybdenum content. | 60% | $1.43 | $1.21 – $1.64 |
Where to sell stainless steel
Payouts vary by city based on transport distance to smelters and ports. Sydney sets the national benchmark; remote cities pay less.
How stainless steel is graded
Australian scrap yards distinguish stainless steel from regular ferrous as soon as the material arrives, because the price gap is substantial — stainless typically pays 3-5x the light steel rate. Within stainless, two grades dominate household and trade scrap: 304 and 316.
304 stainless steel is the most common grade in residential, food, and general industrial applications. Composition is roughly 18% chromium and 8% nickel, with iron making up the balance. Kitchen sinks, dishwasher and washing machine inner drums (on newer models), commercial kitchen equipment, beer kegs, splashbacks, range hoods, BBQ hoods (premium models), and most generic stainless hardware fall here. The nickel content drives most of the scrap value, since nickel is a globally-traded LME commodity. The payout rate is typically 50-60% of the calculated 304 spot price.
316 stainless steel adds 2-3% molybdenum to the 304 base, plus typically slightly higher nickel content (10-12%). The molybdenum provides much better resistance to salt water and aggressive chemicals, making 316 the standard for marine hardware, pharmaceutical equipment, chemical processing, food service equipment in coastal environments, and architectural applications near the sea. The molybdenum adds significant value — yards pay 5-15% more for confirmed 316 than for 304.
The 400 series (martensitic stainless — used for cutlery, some cookware, surgical instruments) is magnetic, distinguishing it from 300 series. It’s accepted as stainless but at a lower rate because of the lower nickel content.
Yards have to grade visually unless items are stamped. The magnet test rules out steel; for sellers carrying mixed stainless, separating stamped 316 from unmarked stainless preserves the premium. Stainless contaminated with significant steel attachments, insulation, or non-metal material gets a “mixed stainless” rate.
A subtle point: the price of stainless tracks the nickel market more closely than the chromium market, because nickel is the more expensive and more volume-significant component. When nickel prices spike, stainless rates follow.
Where stainless steel comes from in Australian homes
Stainless turns up in modern households in increasingly large quantities as appliances have shifted from painted steel to stainless construction over the last twenty years.
Kitchen sinks are nearly always 304 stainless on quality units, typically weighing 5-10kg depending on size and gauge. Renovations and replacements are a steady source.
Dishwashers built since the early 2000s have stainless inner tubs and racks — typically 10-15kg of 304 stainless per unit, separable from the painted steel outer cabinet.
Washing machines — both front and top loaders — have stainless inner drums on most modern models, typically 7-10kg of 304. The outer cabinet is light steel.
Hot water cylinder inner tanks in newer cylinders are stainless rather than the older copper or steel. A modern 250L cylinder has 15-20kg of stainless inner tank inside the steel outer jacket.
BBQs and outdoor kitchens — premium gas BBQ hoods, burners, side tables, and warming racks are stainless. Cheaper BBQs use coated steel for the same parts. A four-burner premium BBQ might contain 10-15kg of stainless components.
Range hoods, splashbacks, and benchtops in modern kitchens are stainless on most quality builds. Renovation work produces these in bulk.
Marine hardware on retired boats — cleats, fittings, rigging hardware, propeller shafts — is often 316 because of saltwater exposure. Lower volume but higher per-kilogram value when it appears.
A practical sorting note: separating stainless from the surrounding steel on a washing machine or dishwasher takes about 30 minutes per unit and roughly doubles the metal value. The drum or tub is the high-value piece; the cabinet is light steel.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test for stainless versus regular steel? +
A magnet is the primary test. 304 stainless — the most common grade in food and kitchen equipment — is non-magnetic, so the magnet won't stick. 316 stainless (marine grade) is also non-magnetic. 400-series stainless (cutlery, some cookware) IS magnetic but still stainless — it can be distinguished from regular steel by a spark test (stainless sparks are short and dim; regular steel produces long bright sparks) or by the absence of rust on items that have clearly been exposed to weather.
What's the difference between 304 and 316 stainless? +
Composition. 304 is roughly 18% chromium, 8% nickel — the standard grade for kitchens, food processing, and general fabrication. 316 adds 2-3% molybdenum to the 304 base, providing better resistance to salt and chemicals — used for marine fittings, pharmaceutical equipment, and chemical processing. 316 pays more at the yard because of the molybdenum content. Most sellers can't tell them apart visually; some 316 items are stamped '316' but many aren't.
Are stainless beer kegs worth scrapping? +
Yes for the metal content — a 50L keg is about 14kg of clean 304 stainless — but the legal context matters. Beer kegs are typically owned by the brewery, not the publican or buyer of the beer inside. Selling brewery-owned kegs is theft under all Australian state laws. Yards routinely check serial numbers against brewery registers. Only sell kegs you can prove ownership of: retired brewery sales, decommissioned home-brew kegs, or with documentation of legitimate purchase.
Is the chrome trim on cars stainless steel? +
Sometimes. Older car trim was solid stainless, particularly on Australian-built Holden and Ford vehicles from the 1960s-70s. Modern car trim is mostly chrome-plated plastic or chrome-plated aluminium. A magnet test (some stainless is non-magnetic) combined with weight (chrome plastic is very light) gives a quick read. Old solid stainless trim from heritage vehicles is genuinely valuable and worth separating.
Why are some stainless sinks paid less than others? +
Grade and contamination. Clean 304 sinks pay the standard 304 rate. Sinks with insulation, attached plumbing, taps still fitted, or significant rust are downgraded. Composite sinks with stainless surface over a plywood or particleboard base are sometimes refused entirely. The grade marking on the underside (often '304' or 'SUS304' stamped) confirms what you're selling.
Does the satin or brushed finish on stainless matter? +
No — surface finish (brushed, satin, mirror, hammered) doesn't affect the underlying alloy composition or the scrap value. The grade is determined by what the metal is, not how it's polished.