If you live or work in Rockingham, Kwinana Beach, Hope Valley, Henderson, Bibra Lake, Munster, or Wattleup , you’re in one of the most active scrap metal corridors in Western Australia. The combination of residential suburbs, heavy industrial precincts, marine industries, and agricultural land in this area generates significant quantities of scrap metal every week.
This guide covers everything you need to know to sell scrap metal in this part of Perth: what the metals are worth, how to prepare them, what ID you need, where to go, and what to expect when you get there. It’s the guide we wish everyone had before their first visit to a yard.
Why this part of Perth generates so much scrap metal
The Rockingham-Kwinana corridor is unique in Perth. Nowhere else does a suburban residential belt sit directly adjacent to one of Australia’s most significant industrial zones. The Kwinana Industrial Area (KIA) , home to refineries, chemical plants, port facilities, and manufacturing , has been generating industrial scrap for decades. Henderson is the centre of Australia’s naval construction industry. Wattleup and Naval Base host marine, logistics, and manufacturing businesses.
At the residential end, Rockingham, Kwinana Beach, Hope Valley, Bibra Lake, and Munster are established suburbs where a significant proportion of housing stock is 30-50 years old. That means plumbing, wiring, and fittings that were installed in the 1970s and 1980s are coming out now as homes are renovated, extensions are built, and kitchens and bathrooms are updated.
The result: this part of Perth has both the highest density of industrial scrap generation and a significant residential renovation scrap stream. It’s the most productive area in Perth’s south for scrap metal activity.
What metals are worth in this area right now
Prices for scrap metal in Rockingham and the southern Perth corridor track the same markets as the rest of Perth , the London Metal Exchange for non-ferrous metals, and local supply/demand for steel. Here’s what to expect as of mid-2026.
Copper , the flagship non-ferrous metal
Bare-bright copper (stripped wire, clean tube off-cuts) is paying $11-$13/kg. Insulated copper wire , the kind that comes out of house renovations still in its sheath , pays $4-$7/kg. Copper pipe and fittings from plumbing work land in between, around $8-$11.50/kg depending on cleanliness. Copper radiators (from cars and air conditioners) pay $1.50-$3.50/kg as a mixed commodity.
Aluminium
Clean aluminium extrusions , window frames, roller shutters, cable tray, fly screen frames , pay $1.60-$2.20/kg. Cast aluminium (engine blocks, gearbox housings, old machinery parts) pays $1.00-$1.50/kg. Aluminium cans are accepted at $0.80-$1.20/kg.
Steel and ferrous metals
Standard steel scrap pays $150-$300 per tonne ($0.15-$0.30/kg). Stainless steel pays significantly more , $0.80-$1.20/kg , and should always be kept separate from regular steel. Cast iron (brake drums, engine blocks, old machinery) pays in the standard steel range.
Brass
Solid brass from plumbing fittings, valves, and taps pays $3.50-$5.00/kg. Mixed brass (with other metals attached) pays less. Worth separating from copper and steel before you come in.
Car batteries, radiators, and appliances
Old car batteries (lead-acid) pay $0.20-$0.40/kg on lead content. Radiators pay $1.50-$3.00/kg. Old whitegoods are accepted as mixed steel loads with non-ferrous components factored in.
Prices listed are indicative mid-2026 ranges. They fluctuate daily. Call ahead for the current day’s rate on specific metals before making the trip.
How to prepare your scrap for the best payout
The most important thing you can do before visiting a yard isn’t choosing the right yard , it’s preparing your load. The same weight of the same metal can pay dramatically different amounts depending on how it’s presented.
Sort by metal type
Use a magnet. Steel sticks; copper, aluminium, and brass don’t. Keep ferrous (magnetic) metals separate from non-ferrous. Within non-ferrous, keep copper separate from aluminium , they pay very different rates per kilogram and mixing them pulls the price toward the lower of the two.
Strip copper wire where practical
Insulated copper wire pays $4-$7/kg. Stripped bare copper pays $11-$13/kg. The maths on stripping thick house wiring (2.5mm TPS, single-core) are strongly in your favour. Thin data cable is typically not worth the effort.
Remove non-metal attachments
Brass fittings on copper pipe, plastic end caps on aluminium frames, rubber seals on steel components , these all reduce the grade of what you’re selling. A few minutes of removal at your end translates directly into your payout.
Separate stainless steel
Stainless steel looks similar to regular steel but pays 3-5 times more per kilogram. A stainless kitchen sink mixed in with regular steel will be priced at the steel rate. Keep it separate.
Ready to sell your scrap in Rockingham or the southern suburbs?
Starlight Metals is at 49 Burlington St, Naval Base , the most convenient licensed yard for sellers across Rockingham, Kwinana Beach, Hope Valley, Henderson, Bibra Lake, Munster and Wattleup.
Call 0436 278 549 or WhatsApp for today’s rates →
What ID you need and why
Under Western Australian regulations, all licensed scrap yards must record the identity of every seller. You’ll need a current photo ID , an Australian driver’s licence is the most commonly accepted form , every time you come in.
This is a legal requirement tied to the Criminal Code Amendment (Metal Theft) Act 2011. The record-keeping exists to prevent stolen metal being sold through the legitimate scrap trade. For honest sellers, the process takes under a minute and the transaction record actually protects you.
Business sellers should also bring something showing their company name and ABN. Regular business sellers can often set up a simple account with their preferred yard to streamline ongoing transactions.
Suburb-by-suburb guide to common scrap sources
Rockingham , residential renovation scrap
Rockingham’s substantial residential stock (much of it from the 1970s-1990s) generates consistent renovation scrap: copper plumbing, aluminium window frames, old whitegoods, steel fencing and gates. The suburb is large enough that many households have accumulated scrap over years without a clear path to sell it.
Kwinana Beach , industrial and residential mix
Kwinana Beach sits at the edge of the KIA and has a mix of residential and industrial addresses. Industrial businesses in the area regularly generate scrap as part of operations , off-cuts, worn equipment, superseded tooling. Residential scrap is also consistent.
Hope Valley , residential with older housing stock
Hope Valley has significant older housing stock and is in an area of ongoing residential development. Renovation scrap , plumbing, wiring, frames , is the most common material. Hope Valley is also close to the Kwinana industrial corridor, making it a natural collecting point for combined residential/light commercial loads.
Henderson , heavy industrial scrap
Henderson is home to the Australian Marine Complex and a range of naval, manufacturing, and engineering businesses. Industrial scrap volumes here can be substantial , large steel structures, heavy machinery, marine hardware. If you’re based in Henderson and managing regular industrial scrap, a commercial collection arrangement is often worth exploring.
Bibra Lake and Munster , light industrial and commercial
Bibra Lake and Munster host light industrial and commercial businesses , workshops, service trades, small manufacturers. These operations generate consistent scrap: steel off-cuts, aluminium offcuts, copper wiring from electrical work, worn machinery components.
Wattleup and Naval Base , the industrial core
Wattleup and Naval Base are at the centre of Perth’s southern industrial corridor. The range of industries in this area , from marine construction to logistics to metal processing , means the scrap generated is diverse and often high-value. Naval Base is also where we’re based: 49 Burlington Street, right in the industrial heart of the area.
How to find a licensed yard and why licensing matters
A licensed scrap metal facility is required to record all transactions, maintain accurate weight records using certified scales, and follow all relevant WA regulations. The licensing exists to protect both the environment and the public.
What this means for you as a seller: at a licensed yard, the weight you’re paid for is accurate (certified scales are independently verified), the transaction is on record (which protects you), and the metal is processed in compliance with environmental standards. Unlicensed buyers don’t offer these protections.
When you’re looking for a yard in the Rockingham and southern Perth area, check that they’re operating a licensed facility, have certified scales, and are clear about their payment process.
Frequently asked questions about scrapping in Rockingham and Perth’s south
Where can I sell scrap metal in Rockingham?
Starlight Metals at 49 Burlington Street, Naval Base is the most conveniently located licensed scrap yard for Rockingham sellers , a short drive from Rockingham city centre via the Rockingham Road. Several other yards operate in the broader Kwinana and Henderson area. We recommend calling ahead to compare current rates and confirm opening hours.
What scrap metal pays best in the Rockingham area?
Copper pays the most per kilogram , particularly clean stripped wire at $11-$13/kg in mid-2026. Brass is also high-value at $3.50-$5.00/kg. Aluminium and steel are lower per kilogram but can earn good returns at volume. Stainless steel pays 3-5 times more per kg than regular steel and should always be separated.
Is there a minimum weight to sell scrap metal at a Perth yard?
Most yards, including ours, don’t have a strict minimum weight for non-ferrous metals like copper and brass. For ferrous (steel) loads, a minimum is sometimes applied because processing costs make very small loads uneconomical. Call ahead if you have a small load to confirm whether it’s worth making the trip.
Can businesses in Henderson set up regular scrap collection?
Yes. Henderson businesses with ongoing scrap generation can often arrange regular collection schedules and commercial accounts with scrap yards. This simplifies the logistics and can provide more consistent pricing arrangements. Call us to discuss your situation.
What hours are scrap yards open in the Rockingham area?
Starlight Metals is open Monday to Saturday. Hours vary , call us on 0436 278 549 or check our website for current operating hours. We recommend calling ahead for large loads or if you’re making a special trip with heavy machinery.
Do I need an appointment to drop off scrap metal?
For standard loads, no appointment is needed , just drive in. For large loads, heavy machinery, or anything requiring special handling, calling ahead ensures we’re prepared for your arrival and can give you the best experience.
Your complete scrap metal resource for Perth’s south
Selling scrap metal in Rockingham and the surrounding suburbs is straightforward when you know what you have, how to prepare it, and where to go. The preparation steps , sorting by metal type, stripping copper wire, removing attachments , are genuinely worth the time. So is calling ahead for current rates before you load up.
We’re at 49 Burlington Street, Naval Base, which puts us at the geographic centre of the area we serve. From Rockingham city centre it’s about a 10-minute drive. From Henderson or Kwinana Beach, you’re even closer. Most sellers are in and out in 15-20 minutes.
Visit Starlight Metals at Naval Base
Serving Rockingham, Kwinana Beach, Hope Valley, Henderson, Bibra Lake, Munster, and Wattleup. Licensed facility, certified scales, same-day payment. Open Monday to Saturday.
Call 0436 278 549 or WhatsApp for current rates before you come in →