The short answer is yes , you need photo ID every time you sell scrap metal at a licensed yard in Western Australia. This applies whether you’re dropping off a boot-full of copper pipe from a bathroom renovation or delivering a trailer-load of steel from a demolition job.
But there’s more to it than just “bring your licence.” Understanding why the rules exist, what a licensed yard is required to do, and what this means for you as a seller makes the whole process smoother and faster. Here’s what you need to know.
This article provides general information about scrap metal selling requirements in WA and is not legal advice. For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified professional or contact the relevant WA government authority.
The regulatory background , why ID is required
Western Australia’s scrap metal ID requirements stem from the Criminal Code Amendment (Metal Theft) Act 2011 and subsequent industry regulations. The legislation was introduced to address a genuine problem: copper and other metal theft was rampant across WA’s infrastructure, construction sites, and residential areas, and scrap yards were inadvertently (and occasionally deliberately) providing a cash pipeline for stolen metal.
The solution was to make every scrap metal transaction traceable. A person stealing copper cabling from a construction site in Henderson is a lot less likely to walk that copper into a yard if they know their name, address, and photo are being recorded against the transaction.
Nationally, the regulatory environment has been tightening significantly. South Australia passed the Scrap Metal Dealers Act in 2025 with strict licensing requirements and cash bans. Queensland passed legislation in 2026 introducing new criminal offences for scrap metal trading violations. WA is actively reviewing its existing legislation to align with these national developments.
What this means for legitimate sellers: the process takes an extra 60 seconds and provides a paper trail that actually protects you. If scrap you legitimately own ever comes into question, the transaction record is your evidence.
What ID you need to bring
At licensed Perth yards , including ours at Naval Base , the standard requirement is a valid photo ID that includes your name, address, and photograph. The most commonly accepted form is:
- Australian driver’s licence (most common , current and not expired)
- Australian passport
- Proof of Age card (state-issued)
- Other government-issued photo ID with name and address
Some yards may also ask you to sign a declaration confirming that the material you’re selling is yours to sell and has been obtained lawfully. This is standard industry practice and takes seconds.
For business sellers , a construction company, a plumbing contractor, a manufacturer , it’s also helpful to bring something showing your business name: a business card, company letterhead, or an ABN printed out. This helps with business-to-business transaction recording and can make regular selling relationships smoother.
What happens with your information
Licensed yards are required to record transaction details including seller ID information and keep those records for a specified period , typically several years , available for inspection by WA Police if required.
This isn’t about surveillance of ordinary sellers. The records exist to allow tracing of suspicious material after the fact. If a batch of copper reported stolen from a Rockingham construction site turns up at a yard two weeks later, police can look at who sold it and when.
The data collection is proportionate and purposeful. A typical residential seller won’t give this a second thought after the first visit.
Cash payments and what’s changing
One area where WA regulations may evolve is cash payments for scrap metal. Victoria has had a cash ban in place since 2018, requiring all payments to be made by traceable methods (EFT, bank transfer). NSW introduced significant updates in 2024. SA’s 2025 legislation also restricts cash payments.
WA has not yet implemented a general cash ban as of mid-2026, but this is an area under active review. It’s worth noting that some licensed Perth yards already pay by EFT for larger transactions as a matter of policy, even where not legally required. The industry direction is clearly toward traceable payment methods.
At Starlight Metals, we’re a licensed facility and we follow all current WA requirements. Call us if you have any questions about our specific payment processes before your first visit.
Selling scrap at a licensed Naval Base yard
Starlight Metals is a fully licensed recycling facility. Bring your photo ID, drive in, get weighed on certified scales, and leave with same-day payment. Easy process for regular or one-off sellers.
Call 0436 278 549 or WhatsApp us before you come →
What about selling to unlicensed buyers?
You’ll occasionally see ads or hear of individuals who buy scrap without the ID requirements of a licensed yard. This is an area to approach with real caution.
Selling to an unlicensed buyer doesn’t protect you if the buyer is investigated. If the material ends up in an investigation and your details can’t be verified through a proper transaction record, your position is more difficult , not the buyer’s. The licensed yard process actually protects sellers as much as it protects the public.
Unlicensed buyers also typically don’t have certified scales. Without certified weighing, you have no way to verify the weight you’re being paid for. The ID requirement at a licensed yard comes with the reliability of the certified weigh-in.
Frequently asked questions about WA scrap metal ID rules
Do I need ID to sell scrap metal in Western Australia?
Yes. Licensed scrap metal yards in WA are required to record seller identification for every transaction. A valid photo ID , Australian driver’s licence, passport, or government-issued ID card , is required. The transaction is recorded and kept on file as required by WA regulations.
What if I don’t have my ID with me?
You’ll need to come back with your ID or arrange for the transaction to be completed when you can provide it. Yards are legally required to collect ID , they can’t process the transaction without it. This is a regulatory requirement, not a discretionary policy.
Are there cash payment restrictions for scrap metal in WA?
As of mid-2026, WA has not enacted a general cash ban for scrap metal transactions, though this is under review in line with national regulatory trends. Some yards already prefer EFT for larger transactions. Check with your specific yard about their current payment processes.
Do I need ID if I’m selling on behalf of a company?
Yes , personal photo ID is still required. Business sellers should also bring documentation showing their business name and ABN to help with transaction recording. Regular business sellers often find it useful to establish an account with their preferred yard to streamline ongoing transactions.
Can scrap yard records be accessed by police?
Yes. Licensed yards are required by WA legislation to keep transaction records available for inspection by police and regulatory authorities. This is why the ID requirements exist , to ensure every transaction can be traced if required. For legitimate sellers, this is protection, not surveillance.
Is it illegal to sell stolen scrap metal?
Yes. Selling stolen metal is an offence under the Criminal Code Amendment (Metal Theft) Act 2011 and potentially other WA criminal statutes. Licensed yards are required to report suspected stolen material. The ID and record-keeping requirements make scrap metal theft significantly harder to monetise.
The practical takeaway
Bring your driver’s licence every time. It’s the single rule that covers all bases at a licensed Perth yard. The process of providing it takes less than a minute, and the transaction record is actually useful protection if you ever need to demonstrate that you sold material legitimately.
If you’re a regular seller , a tradie, a plumber, a demolition contractor , consider establishing an account with your preferred yard. It streamlines the paperwork and builds a business relationship that often comes with other benefits over time.
Licensed, compliant, and straightforward
Every Starlight Metals transaction is properly recorded. Bring your photo ID, know what you’re selling, and we’ll handle the rest. Call ahead for current rates on any metal type.
Call 0436 278 549 , we’re at Naval Base, easy access from Rockingham and Kwinana →