The bloke who came into our yard last week had been sitting on a pile of copper pipe for two months, waiting for the price to “go up.” By the time he arrived, the price had moved , just not in the direction he was hoping for. He still walked away with a solid payout, but he would have been better off knowing how scrap metal pricing actually works rather than gambling on timing the market.
This guide gives you honest, current price context for scrap metal in Perth , covering the metals most commonly sold in the Rockingham, Kwinana Beach, Hope Valley, Henderson, Bibra Lake, Munster and Wattleup areas , so you can make informed decisions and get the best payout when you walk in.
Prices in this guide are indicative ranges based on market conditions in mid-2026. Actual rates fluctuate daily based on global commodity markets. Always call ahead for today’s rate before making the trip.
Why scrap metal prices change, and why that’s not a bad thing
A lot of people are surprised to find out that the price of their old copper wiring is tied to what’s happening on the London Metal Exchange. But it is. Scrap metal prices in Perth are driven by three things: global commodity prices (particularly copper futures and aluminium contracts), local supply and demand within WA, and the grade and cleanliness of what you bring in.
When construction is booming in Perth’s southern suburbs , and right now it very much is, with the $700 million Kwinana Freeway upgrade and the broader Westport development creating significant industrial demand , prices for steel and aluminium tend to firm up. More activity means more need for recycled metal. That’s good news if you’ve got bulk ferrous scrap coming off a Henderson site.
The flip side: when a particular metal floods the local market, prices soften. This happens most often with mixed steel after large demolition projects finish and everyone heads to the yard at once.
The practical takeaway: don’t sit on valuable non-ferrous metals like copper waiting for a price spike. Sell when you have it. Sitting on ferrous scrap is less time-sensitive because steel prices are more stable.
Current 2026 price ranges by metal type
These ranges reflect mid-2026 Perth market conditions, sourced from publicly available pricing trackers and our own yard data. The wide ranges reflect the difference between a low-grade unsorted load and a clean, sorted, stripped load. Preparation is where the real money is made , more on that shortly.
Copper, the most valuable metal in your scrap pile
Copper is consistently the highest-paying scrap metal and the one worth spending time on before you come in. Clean bare-bright copper wire (stripped, no insulation, no fittings) is currently paying in the range of $11-$13 per kilogram in Perth.
Insulated copper wire pays significantly less , roughly $4-$7/kg depending on the cable gauge and insulation type , because the yard has to factor in stripping costs and the weight of the plastic. If you have volume, strip it yourself. The difference can be $5 or more per kilogram.
Other copper grades: pipes, sheets, and mixed copper fittings generally land in the $8-$11/kg range. Copper radiators , the kind from older vehicles or HVAC units , typically fetch $5-$8/kg because they contain a mix of metals.
Aluminium, lightweight but worth the trip
Aluminium is the second most common non-ferrous metal sold at Perth yards, and prices vary more than most people expect. Clean extrusions (window frames, structural sections) are in the $1.60-$2.20/kg range. Cast aluminium (engine blocks, gearbox cases, old machinery parts) pays less, typically $1.00-$1.50/kg.
If you’re a tradie clearing off a job site with aluminium conduit, wiring ducting, or cable tray , that’s some of the cleanest aluminium around. Price it accordingly and separate it from other grades before you come in.
Aluminium cans are accepted but pay at the lower end, around $0.80-$1.20/kg. Worth dropping off if you have volume, but not worth a dedicated trip for a single bag.
Steel and ferrous metals, it’s all about weight
Ferrous metal is magnetic. If a magnet sticks to it, it’s ferrous , steel, cast iron, wrought iron. Prices are lower per kilogram than non-ferrous metals, but the returns from volume can be substantial.
Standard steel scrap is paying approximately $150-$300 per tonne depending on grade and cleanliness. That’s $0.15-$0.30 per kilogram. Cast iron (often from old engine blocks, brake drums, and heavy machinery) pays similarly. Stainless steel is significantly more , typically $0.80-$1.20/kg , and should always be kept separate from regular steel.
If you’re delivering by trailer load from a construction or demolition site in Wattleup or Henderson, the net weight is what drives the payout. A tonne of clean steel can still put $200-$300 in your pocket for a single trip.
Brass, the sleeper metal
Brass catches people off guard. If you’ve got old plumbing fittings, valves, taps, or bushings, those are brass , and brass currently pays $3.50-$5.00/kg in Perth. It’s heavier than it looks and adds up quickly if you’ve been doing bathroom or kitchen renovations.
Mixed brass (dirty, with plastic attachments or other metals) pays less. Clean, solid brass pieces get the best rate. Worth the extra five minutes to sort before you come in.
Car batteries, radiators, and domestic appliances
Old car batteries (lead-acid) are accepted and pay based on lead content and weight, typically $0.20-$0.40/kg. Don’t throw them in the bin , the lead is valuable and the acid is environmentally hazardous.
Radiators from vehicles or air conditioning units are a mix of copper and aluminium, and most Perth yards (including ours) pay $1.50-$3.00/kg depending on the type and cleanliness.
Domestic whitegoods , washing machines, dryers, fridges, stoves , contain a mix of steel, copper, and aluminium. They’re accepted as mixed loads and typically pay at the steel rate for the ferrous bulk, with the copper and aluminium adding to the value during processing.
Ready to get a quote on your scrap?
We buy all metals at our licensed Naval Base yard , Rockingham, Kwinana, Henderson and surrounding areas. Give us a call or WhatsApp for today’s rates before you load the ute.
Call or WhatsApp 0436 278 549 →
How to get more for the same load
The biggest variable in your payout isn’t the market price, it’s how prepared your load is. Here’s where experienced scrapers make their money.
Separate your metals before you arrive. Mixed loads get priced at the lowest-grade metal in the mix. Keep copper with copper, aluminium with aluminium, steel separate.
Strip insulation off copper wire. Even a few minutes with a wire stripper on your cable can add dollars per kilogram. On a 20kg load, that’s potentially $100 extra.
Remove non-metal attachments. Plastic end caps, rubber seals, and screws reduce the grade of what you’re selling.
Clean off excess dirt, oil, and grease. Contaminated metal may be accepted at a lower grade, or refused entirely.
Bring volume if you can. Larger loads often attract better rates, particularly for bulk ferrous deliveries.
A clean, sorted, stripped load isn’t just about price , it also speeds up the weigh-in and pay-out process. You spend less time at the yard, and you leave with a better result.
Bringing ID and what to expect at the yard
Under Western Australian regulations, you’ll need to show valid photo ID when selling scrap metal , a driver’s licence is the most commonly accepted form. This is standard practice across all licensed Perth yards and is part of the state’s effort to ensure the scrap trade is traceable and above board.
At our Naval Base yard, the process is straightforward: drive in, we’ll unload or help you unload, your load gets weighed on our certified scales, you receive a price, and payment is made on the spot. No waiting around, no complicated paperwork.
The weigh-bridge result is what drives your payout , which is why certified scales matter. If you’re not sure about a yard’s process, it’s worth asking before you commit a full trailer load.
Frequently asked questions about scrap metal prices in Perth
What is the highest-paying scrap metal in Perth right now?
Copper is consistently the highest-paying scrap metal in Perth. Clean, stripped copper wire is currently paying approximately $11-$13/kg at most Perth yards in mid-2026. Other non-ferrous metals like brass and aluminium also pay well, significantly more than steel on a per-kilogram basis.
Do scrap metal prices change every day?
Yes. Scrap metal prices , particularly copper and aluminium , track global commodity markets and can shift daily. It’s worth calling ahead for current rates before you load up and make the trip. Most Perth yards, including ours, are happy to give you an indicative price over the phone.
Do I get more for sorted scrap metal compared to mixed loads?
Yes, significantly more. Mixed loads are priced at the rate of the lowest-grade metal in the mix. A load that is 90% copper and 10% steel mixed together gets priced closer to the steel rate. Separating your metals is the single biggest thing you can do to increase your payout.
Do I need ID to sell scrap metal in Western Australia?
Yes. Licensed scrap yards in WA require photo ID (typically a driver’s licence) to record the transaction. This is a regulatory requirement designed to prevent the sale of stolen metal. The process is simple and takes less than a minute at our yard.
How much can I get for a trailer load of mixed steel in Perth?
A typical trailer load of clean mixed steel , say 500-800kg , will earn approximately $75-$240 at current 2026 Perth rates, depending on the grade and weight. Stainless steel in the same volume would pay significantly more, in the $400-$960 range.
Can I sell old appliances like washing machines and air conditioners for scrap?
Yes. Old whitegoods and air conditioning units are accepted at our yard and at most Perth scrap yards. They contain steel, copper, and aluminium and are priced as a mixed load. You won’t get top dollar, but it’s far better than paying for council tip runs.
The bottom line on Perth scrap metal prices
Scrap metal pricing isn’t complicated once you understand what drives it. The metal type matters most, followed closely by preparation. A stripped, sorted, clean load will always outperform a mixed, dirty one , regardless of what the market is doing on the day.
The practical advice: sort as you go rather than waiting until you have a full load and then rushing the prep. Keep a separate bin for copper, one for aluminium, and one for steel on any job site. By the time you’ve got enough to make the trip worthwhile, half the work is already done.
For current rates, give us a call or send us a WhatsApp photo of what you’ve got before you come in. We’re at 49 Burlington Street, Naval Base , easy access for trailers from Henderson, Rockingham, Kwinana Beach and Wattleup.
Get today’s rates before you load up
Call or WhatsApp us for current scrap metal prices in Perth. We’ll give you a realistic quote based on what you’ve got , no surprises when you arrive at the yard.
Call 0436 278 549 or WhatsApp us →
Hi, this is a comment.
To get started with moderating, editing, and deleting comments, please visit the Comments screen in the dashboard.
Commenter avatars come from Gravatar.