Latest Scrap Metal Prices: Find Out What Your Scrap Metal Is Actually Worth
If you’ve ever walked past a dusty shed or a half-forgotten garage full of old pipes, wires, and metal scrap, you’ll wonder: “Can this stuff actually be worth something?” Yes, it is very likely that you’re sitting on hidden cash.
Scrap metal buyers can offer you up to 15 AUD per kilogram for your junk.
But without up-to-date pricing and a yard to value your metals correctly, you can’t get the bucks you deserve. The market changes, and what counted as “worthless junk” last year can get a solid amount today.
At West Coast Metals, born and raised in Perth since 2003, we know the ins and outs of scrap metal recycling in WA. As a family-owned, female-operated metal recycling business, we believe in fairness, honesty, and can give you a decent return on your scrap.
We make sure your scrap is fairly weighed, properly sorted, and you walk away with the best payout possible. Because at the end of the day, scrap metal Perth should be a win for you.
How Much Can You Expect from Scrap Metal Buyers?
When you bring scrap to a yard like ours, the amount you get depends on a few key things.
First, what kind of metal it is? copper, brass, aluminium, stainless, steel or lead. Then how much you’ve got? And lastly, how clean or sorted it is? The cleaner the metal (free of paint, insulation, dirt, or other materials), the better the rate.
For instance, non-ferrous metals (like copper, brass, aluminium) will always pay more per kilo than ferrous metals (steel, iron). That’s because non-ferrous metals are more valuable in manufacturing and recycling. Bulk loads, like a trailer load or lots of clean pipes, also tend to get a better per-kilo return than a small mixed box of assorted scrap.
If you live around northern suburbs like Malaga or Wangara, or anywhere across Perth, you can compare multiple local offers. But anyways, market knowledge is really important.
Australian Metal Recycling Industry: Facts & Figures
Perth metal recycling isn’t just about cleaning out your shed. It is also an important part of Australia’s sustainability and resource-management.
Across the country, recycling yards recover millions of tonnes of metal each year, and reduce the need to mine and process virgin ores. That, in turn, saves energy, lowers emissions, and reduces waste going to landfills.
Because of this demand, the scrap metal industry remains a stable and worthwhile way to turn unwanted metal into cash. Especially when metals are in high global demand, it drives up the rate yards are willing to pay locally.
So, when you bring scrap to a trusted recycler, you’re helping close the loop on waste and supporting a more sustainable supply chain for new metal products.
Common Types of Scrap You Can Sell at Scrap Metal Yards Perth
Here are the common categories of scrap we see, what they consist of, and their payout range.
1- Copper
It is the most valuable and highly-regarded scrap metal. Found in wiring, plumbing pipes, roofing materials, motors, and more. Clean, stripped copper wire or bare bright copper is the top rated metal. Even copper tubing and flashing pipes get good rates.
2- Brass
An alloy of copper and zinc, and another valuable metal. It is found in taps, fixtures, decorative hardware, plumbing valves, and old radiators. Because of its copper content, brass trades at a solid rate per kg, especially if it is clean and sorted.
3- Aluminium
Common in window frames, engine parts, wheels, radiators, and household fixtures. While lighter and less valuable per kilo than copper or brass, aluminium is abundant in clearing out a shed or garage. It’s worth bringing in large volumes.
4- Stainless Steel
Appears in kitchen sinks, benches, appliances, and industrial equipment. It doesn’t pay as much as non-ferrous metals. But if you have enough (like from a renovation or appliance clean-out), it adds up and pay you worth-while.
5- Steel & Iron
Bulkier, heavier, but lower per kilo rates. Good when you’re clearing big scrap loads like old fencing, shelving, or structural steel. You should definitely count if if you’re looking to declutter your space.
6- Lead, Mixed Metals, Miscellaneous
Old batteries, flashing, or other lead items, mixed metal scrap, or even radiators and mixed scrap loads. They are accepted, though the payout varies widely and depends heavily on condition and grade.
How Are Bulk Scrap Metal Prices Determined?
Understanding why metal recycling Perth rates shift helps you get better returns each time you sell. Following factors can affect what you get paid:
- Global commodity demand: Metals like copper and aluminium are traded on global markets. When demand goes up (for example, because of construction rise or manufacturing demand), scrap metal Malaga prices rise.
- Material purity and cleanliness: Clean, uncontaminated scrap, like bare copper wire or sorted aluminium sheets, brings a higher price than mixed, dirty, or coated scrap.
- Volume or weight: Larger loads get better per-kilo pricing because yards can process them more efficiently.
- Local demand and yard capacity: Depending on how busy a yard is, or how much metal they already have, their prices fluctuate. During high demand they pay more. When they have an oversupply, rates drop.
- Transport and logistics costs: If it’s expensive to bring scrap into a recycling centre, it will affect the price you get. Fuel costs, distance, and handling add up, especially for heavy steel loads.
At West Coast Metals, we keep an eye on all those factors so we can offer competitive, fair and transparent rates. Because you deserve a fair deal when you bring your scrap in.
Scrap Metal Prices per kg in Perth Right Now
Here’s a snapshot of recent prices around Perth (per kg). they will give you a realistic expectation before you load up the ute.
Metal | Recent Rate (per kg)* |
Copper (bright / bare / high-quality) | ≈ AU $14.50-15.00 |
Brass (clean, sorted) | ≈ AU $7.50-8.50 |
Aluminium (clean, sorted) | ≈ AU $3.00-4.40 (depending on alloy/type) |
Lead / Mixed metals / Lower-grade copper/ brass | Lower than premium metals, depends heavily on condition |
Steel / Ferrous scrap (unsorted / mixed) | In the low-value range (small per-kg payout) |
*These rates reflect recent data from multiple Perth scrap-price trackers (as of late 2025). Don’t consider them exact. Actual payouts vary day to day depending on quantity, quality, and current market conditions.
Now let’s guide you on some tricks to get the upper end of these ranges.
Tips to Maximise the Price of Your Scrap Metal
Want to get the most value from your scrap? We recommend:
- Separate metals by type. Don’t mix copper with steel or aluminium with brass. Sorting helps you get top rates.
- Strip insulation off cables and wires when possible. Bare copper wire pays far more than insulated wire.
- Keep metals clean and dry. Dirt, paint, rust or moisture can lower your payout.
- Collect enough volume. Small bags are fine too, but larger loads earn better per-kilo rates.
- Check current prices before you go. Scrap metal rates keep on changing. So, call your yard and ask for today’s rates before hitting the road.
- Bring ID if you’re selling copper or copper-alloy scrap. WA yards are required to record sellers’ identity under local regulations for safety and compliance.
- Always choose a trusted and local cash for scrap Malaga service to get the best offer.
At West Coast Metals, we handle everything, weighing, sorting, and quoting on the spot. Because we want you to see what your scrap is worth, no hidden fees or surprises.
Why Choose West Coast Metals Over Other Yards in Perth
We can list hundreds of reasons, but here are the top ones of them.
- We’ve been serving Perth since 2003. That’s two decades of experience in handling scrap from households, commercial sites, and industrial clients.
- We’re family-owned and female-operated, and treat every customer with respect, honesty, and a personal touch. We offer you a clean and organised yard.
- We buy a wide variety of metals. E.g. Copper, aluminium, brass, stainless steel, batteries, mixed scrap, you name it.
- We offer cash or bank transfer payment, whichever suits you best.
- We make the scrap process easy. You can deliver to us, or ask about pickup. We try our best to make it convenient.
- We stay on top of the markets, so, you get fair, up-to-date pricing. When global demand shifts, we adjust our offers accordingly.
If you’re looking for trustworthy scrap metal buyers Malaga, Wangara or anywhere around Perth, just come to us.
Searching for Trusted Scrap Metal Recycling Services?
Choose West Coast Metals: Perth’s Trusted Scrap Metal Yard
At West Coast Metals, we offer honest pricing, professional service, and a clean, friendly scrapyard environment. If you’re in Malaga, Wangara, or anywhere across Perth, we can help you get the top value for your scrap.
The process will be simple, quick, and rewarding for you.
and let’s turn your scrap into cash.