If you have old copper pipes, aluminium frames, or a pile of mixed metals sitting in your garage or worksite, they are worth real money. In Sydney, scrap metal prices in 2026 range from as low as $0.05/kg for light steel to over $9.00/kg for clean copper — and knowing the difference could mean hundreds of extra dollars in your pocket.
This guide gives you a straightforward, accurate picture of current scrap metal prices in Sydney, what factors influence those prices, and how to get the most value when you sell. Whether you’re a homeowner clearing out a garage, a tradie with offcuts, or a business managing metal waste, this guide is for you.
Prices fluctuate daily based on global commodity markets, local supply, and metal grade. The figures below are indicative ranges to help you plan — always call for a live quote before you bring your load in.
| Metal Type | Grade/condition | Approx.Price (AUD/kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | Clean / Bright Bare Wire | $8.00 – $9.50 |
| Copper | Mixed / Light Copper | $6.00 – $7.50 |
| Copper Wire | Insulated (High Grade) | $3.00 – $4.00 |
| Copper Wire | Insulated (Low Grade) | $1.50 – $2.50 |
| Brass | Yellow Brass (Clean) | $5.00 – $7.00 |
| Brass | Red Brass / Mixed Brass | $4.00 – $5.50 |
| Aluminium | Clean sheet / Extrusions | $1.80 – $3.00 |
| Aluminium | Cast / Mixed | $1.00 – $1.80 |
| Aluminium | Cans | $0.80 – $1.20 |
| Stainless Steel | 304 Grade (Clean) | $1.20 – $2.00 |
| Steel / Iron | 304 Grade (Clean) | $1.20 – $2.00 |
| Steel / Iron | Heavy Melting Steel | $0.10 – $0.18 |
| Steel / Iron | Light Iron / Sheet | $0.05 – $0.10 |
| Lead | Battery / Clean Lead | $1.50 – $2.50 |
| Electric Motors | Small – large | $0.20- $2.60 |
| Car Batteries | Per unit | $5 – $15ea |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative as of mid-2026 and subject to change based on the London Metal Exchange (LME) and local market conditions. Contact North Shore Scrap Metals directly for a current, binding quote.
Understanding price drivers helps you time your sale for maximum return.
Scrap metal pricing in Sydney closely tracks the London Metal Exchange. When international demand for copper or aluminium rises — often driven by manufacturing, infrastructure spending, or supply chain changes — local yard prices follow. Check the LME weekly if you’re selling large volumes.
Non-ferrous metals (copper, brass, aluminium) consistently fetch higher prices than ferrous metals (steel and iron). Within each category, cleaner, purer grades always earn more. A bundle of stripped bare copper wire is worth roughly twice the same weight in insulated wire.
Mixed loads with plastics, rubber, or insulation attached are downgraded at most yards. Clean, sorted metal is valued significantly higher. This is the single most controllable factor in what you’ll be paid.
Bulk volumes give you more negotiating power. Businesses doing factory cleanouts, demolition projects, or ongoing metal waste streams often lock in better per-kg rates. North Shore Scrap Metals offers a free bin service for high-volume customers — bins are dropped off, filled at your site, and collected at no extra cost.
Construction activity, manufacturing output, and the volume of metal entering the Sydney scrap market all push prices up or down. Periods of high construction activity in Greater Sydney — especially across the Northern Suburbs — tend to support stronger prices.
Copper consistently delivers the highest return of any commonly recycled metal. It is found in electrical wiring, plumbing pipes, roofing, air conditioning units, and electronic components. Clean, bright bare copper can return $8.00–$9.50/kg. Even mixed or insulated copper wire has strong value.
Pro tip: Strip the insulation off copper wire before you bring it in. It can more than double the per-kg rate.
Brass — an alloy of copper and zinc — is found in plumbing fixtures, taps, valves, door fittings, and musical instruments. Yellow brass (clean, unalloyed) commands the best rates. Red brass, which contains more copper, is also highly sought after.
If you’re unsure what metal type you have, the team at North Shore Scrap Metals will identify and assess it for you. Check out the full range of metals we buy to see what qualifies.
Aluminium is one of the most recycled metals on the planet. It is 100% recyclable with no loss of quality, and recycling it saves up to 95% of the energy needed to produce new aluminium from raw ore. In Sydney, common sources include window frames, door frames, car wheels, old appliances, and drink cans.
Clean sheet aluminium and extrusions command the best rates ($1.80–$3.00/kg). Mixed or cast aluminium typically falls in the $1.00–$1.80/kg range.
Steel and iron are ferrous metals, which means they are magnetic and generally lower value per kilogram. However, their abundance makes them worth collecting in bulk. Old machinery, car bodies, structural steel, fencing, and tools all qualify.
If you have a large volume of steel to offload, North Shore Scrap Metals can arrange a free scrap metal removal — particularly useful for builders, demolition contractors, and commercial sites.
Follow these steps to maximise what you earn before you arrive at the yard.
Sort by metal type. Keep copper with copper, aluminium with aluminium, and steel separate. Mixed loads get paid at the lowest-value metal in the mix.
Remove non-metal attachments. Strip off rubber grommets, plastic fittings, and insulation where possible. Clean metal is faster to process and earns a better rate.
Strip copper wire. Bare, stripped copper wire is worth significantly more than insulated wire. Even a basic wire stripper pays for itself quickly.
Weigh it yourself first. Having a rough sense of what you’ve got helps you validate the quote you receive at the yard.
Sell in bulk when possible. If you’re a business or tradie with a regular stream of scrap metal, discuss a bulk collection arrangement. North Shore Scrap Metals works with hundreds of businesses to collect and pay for manufactured scrap on a regular schedule.
Call ahead for a live quote. Prices move. A quick call to 0408 088 307 before you load up means no surprises when you arrive.
This is one of the most common questions first-time sellers ask
A simple magnet test will tell you if your metal is ferrous. If it sticks, it’s ferrous. If not, it’s non-ferrous — and typically more valuable.
Scrap metal recycling isn’t just for collectors or demolition crews. A wide range of people across Sydney regularly benefit from it.
Homeowners — Old appliances, copper pipes from a renovation, aluminium window frames, and steel fencing all have value.
Tradies and plumbers — Copper offcuts, old fittings, and leftover cabling accumulate quickly on job sites. Sell them instead of binning them.
Builders and demolition contractors — Structural steel, rebar, copper and aluminium from strip-outs represent significant cash value. Use the bin service to manage volume on-site.
Mechanics and automotive workshops — Alternators, radiators, catalytic converters, and car batteries all have scrap value. See the full car removal and automotive metal service for more.
Manufacturers and industrial businesses — Metal offcuts, rejected parts, and end-of-run materials should never go to landfill. North Shore Scrap Metals can set up a regular, scheduled collection service.
♻️ Sell Your Scrap. Help the Environment. Get Paid.
North Shore Scrap Metals pays competitive cash for all types of ferrous and non-ferrous metals across Sydney. Call 0408 088 307 or view our services to get started.
Recycling scrap metal is one of the highest-impact recycling activities available to individuals and businesses alike.
Recycling one tonne of aluminium conserves over 14,000 kilowatt-hours of energy — equivalent to the power consumption of an average Australian home for more than a year. Recycling copper reduces the need for mining, which disrupts ecosystems, consumes massive volumes of water, and releases greenhouse gases.
Steel is the most recycled material on Earth, with global recycling rates above 85%. Every kilogram of scrap steel recycled saves mining, smelting, and transportation energy.
When you sell to North Shore Scrap Metals, your materials are processed and returned to the manufacturing supply chain — not sent to landfill. That’s a genuine environmental contribution alongside a financial one.
How much is scrap copper worth per kg in Sydney in 2026?
Clean, bright bare copper currently fetches approximately $8.00–$9.50/kg in Sydney. Mixed or insulated copper wire ranges from $1.50–$4.00/kg depending on grade and insulation type. Call North Shore Scrap Metals on 0408 088 307 for today’s exact rate.
What is the most valuable scrap metal I can sell?
Copper consistently delivers the highest return of any commonly recycled metal. Brass follows closely. Both are non-ferrous and in constant demand from manufacturers and recyclers across Australia.
Do prices change daily?
Yes. Scrap metal prices track global commodity markets, particularly the London Metal Exchange, which updates daily. Prices can shift week to week. Always call for a current quote before making a trip to the yard.
Can I get cash the same day I drop off my scrap?
Absolutely. North Shore Scrap Metals pays cash on the spot once your metal is weighed and assessed. No waiting, no invoicing delays.
Do you offer pickup services for scrap metal in Sydney?
Yes. For larger volumes, North Shore Scrap Metals offers free bin drop-off and pickup services across Sydney, including residential, commercial, and industrial sites. Call 0408 088 307 to check if your area is covered.
Does it matter if my scrap metal is dirty or mixed?
It matters for pricing. Clean, sorted metal earns a higher rate per kilogram. Mixed or contaminated loads are assessed at a lower rate. Separating your metals and removing non-metal materials before you arrive is one of the simplest ways to earn more.
What types of scrap metal do you accept?
North Shore Scrap Metals accepts nearly all ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including copper, aluminium, brass, steel, iron, stainless steel, lead, electric motors, car batteries, and more. See the full list of metals we buy for details.
How do I know I’m getting a fair price?
Scrap yards base prices on metal type, grade, weight, and current market conditions. At North Shore Scrap Metals, we use certified scales and transparent pricing. You’re welcome to call ahead, compare rates, and ask questions — we encourage it.
Scrap metal in Sydney has real, tradeable value in 2026. Whether you have a small batch of copper wire or a truckload of mixed metals from a demolition job, selling it rather than discarding it is always the smarter move — financially and environmentally.
North Shore Scrap Metals makes the process straightforward: call for a quote, drop off your metal or arrange a pickup, get weighed, and get paid on the spot. For businesses, we also offer scheduled collection services to keep your site clear and your cash flow moving.
Ready to sell? Call 0408 088 307 to get started today.
North Shore