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As of September 2026, scrap metal prices in Melbourne at Metro Copper sit at roughly: copper $11 to $20 per kg, the brass scrap price runs $7 to $12, the aluminium scrap price is $1 to $4, and the stainless steel scrap price is $1 to $2, with high grade cable at $10 to $14, mid grade cable at $8 to $12, low grade wire at $4 to $7, and electric motors at $1 to $2. All payments are by instant EFT under Victorian law, and photo ID is required to sell. Call Metro Copper at 0481 223 334 for the exact rate before dropping off.
Maximise the Price for Your Scrap Metal in Melbourne Today
Looking for scrap metal prices in Melbourne, including scrap aluminium price, brass scrap price, stainless steel scrap price, copper scrap price, and many more? Metro Copper Recycling collects scrap through its fleet of vehicles, pays via instant EFT, and handles copper, brass, cable, aluminium, stainless steel, wire, scrap batteries and scrap bin services across Greater Melbourne.
Many factors influence today’s metal scrap prices alongside market fluctuations. Here’s a guide on what to expect, depending on circumstances like market timing.
| Table of Current Scrap Metal Prices in Melbourne |   Price Per Kg |
|---|---|
| Clean Copper Scrap Price | $17 – $20 |
| Dirty Copper Scrap Price | $11 – $15 |
| Aluminium Scrap Price | $1 – $4 |
| Stainless Steel Scrap Price | $1 – $2 |
| Clean Brass Scrap Price | $10 – $12 |
| Dirty Brass Scrap Price | $7 – $9 |
| High Grade Cable Scrap Price | $10 – $14 |
| Mid Grade Cable Scrap Price | $8 – $12 |
| Low-Grade Wire Scrap Price | $4 – $7 |
| Motor Scrap Price | $1 – $2 |
How Payment and ID Work in Victoria
Getting paid for scrap metal in Victoria works a little differently to how it once did, and it is worth knowing before you arrive. Since May 2018, it has been illegal for any scrap metal yard in Victoria to pay cash for scrap. The rule came in under the Second-Hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act to cut out metal theft and keep a clear record of every transaction. It applies to the seller as well as the buyer, so any yard still offering you cash is breaking the law.
At Metro Copper you get paid by instant EFT straight into your bank account the moment your load is weighed and priced. It is quick, it is traceable and the money is yours on the spot.
You will also need to bring valid photo ID, such as a driver licence or passport. Victorian law requires us to record ID for every sale, whether you are dropping off one car battery or a full trailer of copper. You do not need an ABN to sell as an individual, just your ID and a bank account.
Understanding Today's Scrap Metal Rates in Melbourne
Scrap metal rates in Melbourne move with global market trends, local supply and demand, and the metal being sold. Commodity prices overseas (tracked through markets like the London Metal Exchange), the wider economy, and the exchange rate all feed into what recyclers pay for copper, aluminium, brass and stainless steel.
Grade, purity and quantity shape the value of a load too. Clean, well-sorted metal earns more than mixed or contaminated stock, and larger loads of a single metal often unlock stronger rates. Metro Copper Recycling tracks these movements closely, and prices scrap fairly across Melbourne.
Roughly how the metals compare on payout, from highest to lowest per kg: clean copper leads, followed by high-grade cable, then brass, with dirty copper, low-grade wire, aluminium, stainless steel and motors filling out the rest. Exact positions shift with the market, so this is a general guide rather than a fixed order.
Scrap Metal Prices by Metal Type in Melbourne
What your scrap is worth comes down to the metal, its grade, its purity, and demand on the day. Every recyclable metal holds value, but non-ferrous metals like copper, brass, aluminium, and stainless steel pay more than most. Here’s a look at the metals we see most often and the factors behind their prices, so you know what your load is worth before you sell.
Copper Scrap Prices
Copper ranks among the most valuable non-ferrous metals, which makes it a favourite for households and businesses clearing out wire and pipe. Grade, purity, and market demand set the rate. Clean, uncoated copper-like, Millberry or bright wire earns the highest price, while burnt, mixed, or insulated copper sits lower on the scale. Global commodity markets and local supply push the daily figure up and down. Strip and clean your copper before selling, and you’ll land a better return.
Aluminium Scrap Prices
Aluminium turns up in window frames, roofing, guttering, drink cans, alloy wheels and car parts. The scrap aluminium price per kg hangs on the type you are holding, how clean it is, and whether plastic, rubber seals, glass or steel screws are still in it. Clean cast aluminium, extruded aluminium and alloy wheels beat mixed or contaminated stock at the scales every time. Because so many industries pull on the same material, from construction through to packaging, shifting demand keeps the rate moving. Split your load by grade before you sell and the price of scrap aluminium per kg lifts across the whole lot. For a full breakdown of what pushes the price up or down, see our scrap aluminium price guide.
Brass Scrap Prices
Brass holds solid value because it is a copper alloy, and copper is what carries the weight in it. You will find it in tapware, valves, plumbing fittings and old door hardware. The brass scrap price per kg comes down to the mix of copper and zinc, how clean the load is, and whether plastic washers, steel screws or ceramic handles are still attached. Clean brass earns the top rate. Dirty or mixed brass drops back once you factor in the stripping work at our end. Because copper drives the alloy, the current brass scrap price follows the global copper market rather than moving on its own. Pull your brass out from the rest of the load before you bring it in, and we can weigh it properly instead of paying you a mixed rate.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
Stainless steel turns up in kitchen sinks and benches, range hoods, pipes, tanks and factory machinery. What you get paid comes down to grade, because 304 and 316 carry different amounts of nickel, and that is what the scrap stainless steel price is built on. 316 has molybdenum in it as well, so it sits above 304 per kg. Clean material beats mixed every time, since plastic, rubber or mild steel left bolted on costs us time to strip, and that comes off the rate. Nickel is traded overseas and moves daily, which is why the current stainless steel scrap price shifts month to month. Split your grades before you sell, and you will walk out with more.
What Types Of Scrap Metal Does Metro Copper Recycle in Melbourne?
- Dry Bright Copper Wire: This is very pure and conducts electricity well, making it perfect for electrical uses. Contact us for Scrap Wire Prices Melbourne.
- Clean Flat Electro Copper: It is great at conducting electricity and is used in different electronic parts.
- New Copper Tube: Often used in water pipes and heating and cooling systems because it transfers heat well.
- Greasy Bright Wire: Even though it is greasy, this wire has a lot of copper in it.
- Heavy Copper: This is almost completely pure copper, which is good for recycling into high-quality products. Contact us for Copper Recycling in Melbourne and get the best price for scrap copper.
- Copper Cylinders: These are used in water and heating systems and can be recycled for their copper.
- Copper Braziery: This includes copper items that have been soldered or brazed together but can still be recycled.
- Mixed Brass: A mix of copper and zinc, this material is used for things like musical instruments and door hardware. Get the best Brass Scrap price in Melbourne.
- Aluminium:Â Commonly found in air conditioners, cars, wheels, foils and containers. We pay $1 to $4 for scrap aluminium. Contact us for the current scrap aluminium price.
- Household Cable: Different types of insulated copper wires found in houses. Get in touch with us for scrap cable recycling in Melbourne.
- 18/8 Stainless Solids and 316 Stainless Solids: These are types of stainless steel that are very strong and do not rust easily. Ask us for the latest stainless steel recycling and stainless steel scrap prices.
- Zinc Sheet: This material does not rust easily and is used in various industries.
- Electric Motors: These have copper and steel in them and are found in many appliances and machines.
- Lead and Lead/Acid Batteries:Â Lead is highly recyclable and is used in batteries, pipes, and more. Contact us for the current lead recycling price, or if you want to recycle your scrap batteries.
- Light Iron and Heavy Iron: These are types of iron that are categorised by how heavy and big they are.
Our Scrap Metal Recycling Process
A lot of our valued clients are not just chasing the best price for scrap metal recycling in Melbourne; they also want to ensure they are doing their part to be sustainable and want to know where their scrap material is going. By recycling scrap copper, aluminium, brass, lead, stainless steel, and other metals, businesses and households can help reduce landfill waste while supporting a circular economy.
The recycling process for all materials is different, but here is a quick guide on how we recycle the leading metals and provide the best metal scrap prices in Melbourne. These recycled materials can then be reused for a wide range of industrial, commercial, and manufacturing purposes, reducing the need for virgin resources and lowering environmental impact.
- Collection: Our local team collects metal scrap in Melbourne from various sources, including industrial waste, construction sites and households, with our fleet of trucks and vans.
- Sorting: Scrap metals are sorted into different types using magnets and sensors to separate ferrous from non-ferrous metals.
- Processing: Sorted metals are then cleaned, shredded and prepared for melting.
- Melting and Purification: Metals are melted in large furnaces and purified to ensure the final product is of high quality.
- Solidifying: The molten metal is poured into moulds and solidified into bars, sheets or other shapes.
- Transportation: Finally, the recycled metal is transported to manufacturers, where it is used to produce new products.
Get the best metal recycling prices in Melbourne for copper, copper cable and wire, brass, lead, aluminium, stainless steel, and more. We offer competitive rates, instant payments, and reliable scrap metal recycling services for both residential and commercial customers. Check our latest scrap metal rates per Kg and maximise the value of your recyclable metals today.
Factors Influencing Scrap Metal Rates
Several factors can influence the price of scrap metal in Melbourne and globally:
- Supply and Demand: There is a constant ebb and flow in the metal market, with different projects requiring high volumes of differing materials at any given moment. This, coupled with the availability of these metals, will influence the value of recycled scrap metal in Melbourne near you.
- Quality of Scrap:Â Many people assume that because the metal is melted down and re-purposed, the condition does not matter. Unfortunately, metal can degrade or become impure over time, depending on the level of care that has been taken with it, so this will influence the bottom line as well.
- International Markets: Global economic trends and trade policies can impact scrap metal prices in Melbourne. For example, tariffs on metal imports or exports can alter supply and demand dynamics.
- Type of Metal: Different metals have different values. Precious metals like gold and silver will always be more valuable than common metals like steel and aluminium.
How to Get the Best Scrap Metal Prices In Melbourne
To make sure you get the best Cash for scrap metal in Melbourne, consider the following tips:
- Follow the news: Market prices are known to fluctuate, and things like global shortages and international tariffs can drive up the price of raw metals. On the other hand, large discoveries or new mining operations can reduce the metal scrap price, making it more common.
- Sort your scrap: By dividing the different metals into their own piles, you help reduce the sorting time, which means more money in your pocket. If you are selling a large pile as mixed scrap, it will result in a reduced rate.
- Wash your metal: This might sound odd, since we are just going to melt it down anyway. That is true, but many contaminants and attachments can be melted down along with the metal, which leads to a lower-grade content. Cleaning it first can make the world of difference.
- Choose the Best Scrap Metal Recyclers: Choose Metro Copper to make sure you are getting the best metal scrap prices and the leading service in Melbourne.
Areas We Serve
At Metro Copper Recycling, we take pride in serving a wide expanse of Melbourne and its surrounding areas with our leading scrap metal pickup services. Our coverage includes the bustling heart of Melbourne CBD, extending to the northern suburbs like Brunswick and Coburg, the eastern suburbs including Box Hill and Doncaster, the culturally rich western suburbs such as Footscray and Altona, and the scenic southern suburbs like St Kilda and Brighton. Beyond these, we also reach out to the outer suburbs, making sure no location is left behind. For inquiries or to schedule a pickup, reach out to us at: 0481 223 334
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you pay for scrap metal in Melbourne?
It comes down to the metal and its grade, but here is a snapshot of our current rates per kg. Clean copper pays $17 to $20, dirty copper $11 to $15, clean brass $10 to $12, dirty brass $7 to $9, aluminium $1 to $4, stainless steel $1 to $2, high-grade cable $10 to $14, mid grade cable $8 to $12, low-grade wire $4 to $7, and electric motors $1 to $2. These figures move with the market, so ring us on 0481 223 334 for the exact price on the day before you bring your load in.
What are today's scrap metal prices per kg?
Why is there a gap between clean and dirty copper prices?
Do scrap metal prices change often?
How do I get the best price for my scrap metal?
Do you offer free pickup?
How much do you pay for scrap copper in Melbourne?
Clean copper sits between $17 and $20 per kg, and dirty copper pays $11 to $15 per kg. Clean copper means bright, stripped wire or pipe with no coatings, solder or muck attached. The cleaner and better sorted your copper is, the closer you land to the top rate.
What is scrap aluminium worth per kg?
Aluminium pays between $1 and $4 per kg. The rate depends on the type and how clean it is. Clean cast aluminium, extrusions and alloy wheels sit at the higher end, while aluminium with plastic, rubber or steel still attached drops down the scale. Sorting it by grade before you sell will lift the payout.
How much do you pay for scrap brass?
Clean brass pays $10 to $12 per kg, and dirty brass pays $7 to $9 per kg. Clean brass taps, valves and fittings earn the top rate. If the brass is dirty or still has non-metal parts bolted on, the price drops a little because of the extra processing. Since brass is a copper alloy, the rate tends to move with the copper market.
What is the going rate for stainless steel?
How much do you pay for scrap cable and wire?
High-grade cable pays $10 to $14 per kg, mid-grade cable pays $8 to $12, and low-grade wire pays $4 to $7 per kg. The value comes down to how much copper is inside the insulation. Thicker copper cores with less plastic sit at the higher end, while thin household wire with heavy insulation pays less.
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About Metro Copper Recycling
Metro Copper Recycling is one of the largest and most trusted names in scrap metal recycling in Melbourne, specialising in copper and brass. Operating for over 30 years, they have continually invested in advanced facilities and equipment to serve the needs of industrial and agricultural clients.
As a fully licensed and audited operator, Metro Copper Recycling prides itself on quality service, compliance, and sustainability practices like dry granulation to protect the environment. Farmers have come to depend on their reliable service, reasonable prices, and prompt payment terms for scrap metals, including copper.