Whether you are a plumber cleaning out a worksite, an electrician pulling cable, or a household with a pile of cans, knowing the current scrap metal prices nsw puts cash in your pocket and keeps metal out of landfill. Below we explain how Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong yards set their rates, what grades matter, and how to lock in the best deal.
How scrap metal prices are set in NSW
NSW dealers watch the London Metal Exchange (LME) and Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) night session. When copper spikes 2% overseas, local yards usually lift Scrap Metal Prices the next morning. The Aussie dollar is the other big lever: a falling AUD makes exports cheaper, so exporters bid more for your scrap. Finally, port bottlenecks or truck driver shortages can add $20–$40 to a tonne of shredded steel overnight.
Because prices change so fast, the best move is to phone your local yard or check their live page on Scrap Trade before you load the trailer. Most Sydney yards will hold a quote for 24 hrs if you have over 500 kg.
Typical price ranges by grade (per kg)
- Clean copper wire (bare bright) – $6.80–$7.20
- Copper tubing (burnt) – $5.90–$6.30
- 6063 aluminium extrusion – $1.40–$1.60
- Aluminium cans – $0.30–$0.50
- Stainless 304 solids – $1.80–$2.00
- Stainless 316 turnings – $2.60–$2.80
- Shredded steel – $0.09–$0.17
- Heavy steel (over 5 mm) – $0.14–$0.20
- Lead wheel weights – $1.00–$1.20
Prices shown are ex-yard for loads under 1 t. Bigger weights or clean, sorted loads attract a 5–10% bonus. If you are unsure what you have, ask for an assay; most yards will do a spark test or XRF scan free on the spot.
Where to sell in NSW and how to get the best rate
Metro Sydney has more than 30 licensed dealers, but rates can vary 15 c/kg between them. Use the Scrap Metal Prices Near Me tool to map yards by postcode and see who is paying top dollar today. Newcastle and Wollongong yards often match or beat Sydney prices because they ship straight out of the port, saving rail freight.
Before you leave home:
- Strip plastic off copper and separate brass fittings
- Remove steel screws from aluminium window frames
- Keep different stainless grades in separate buckets
- Bring photo ID (NSW law requires it for every sale)
Most yards pay by EFT on the spot; cash payments over $1,000 need an additional form. If you want to compare deals side-by-side, open Current Scrap Metal Prices on your phone and show the yard manager—many will price-beat to win your business.
Environmental benefits of recycling metal in NSW
Recycling one tonne of aluminium saves 15 MWh of electricity—enough to run a Sydney home for four months. Steel recycling cuts CO₂ emissions by 1.5 t for every tonne made in a blast furnace. By keeping an eye on scrap metal prices nsw and selling rather than binning, you help the state hit its 80% landfill-diversion target and reduce the need for new mines on Wiradjuri and Gumbaynggirr country.
For weekly email alerts on current scrap metal prices, subscribe at ScrapTrade.com.au. The newsletter comes out every Monday at 7 am with Sydney, Newcastle and regional NSW rates plus LME analysis.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to remove plastic coating from copper wire?
Yes. Plastic lowers the grade and can cut the price in half. Strip it with a pocket knife or cheap wire stripper to earn up to $7/kg for bare bright.
Why do prices change daily?
NSW yards track the London Metal Exchange and currency markets. A 1% copper move overseas or a 0.5 cent AUD shift can change local rates overnight.
Can I sell scrap if I only have 10 kg?
Yes, but expect the lowest grade rate. Yards pay minimum weight prices for under 50 kg, so save up or team up with neighbours to boost your payout.
Is cash payment still legal in NSW?
Only up to $1,000 per transaction. Above that, dealers must pay by EFT or cheque and record your ID for the state government’s scrap-metal register.
