Scrap Metal Prices Melbourne & Victoria — June 2026 Rates

Manhari Recycling publishes indicative scrap metal prices for Melbourne and Victoria to help residents, tradespeople, and businesses understand the current value of their metal before booking a collection or visiting our yard. Prices below are updated regularly and reflect the Melbourne metropolitan market as at June 2026.

Quick answer: As of June 2026, copper scrap in Melbourne ranges from $7 to $12.50 per kg depending on grade, aluminium ranges from $0.90 to $2.80 per kg, steel (HMS) is approximately $0.30 to $0.45 per kg, and brass ranges from $4.20 to $7.20 per kg. Call 1300 397 678 for an exact quote on your specific metal and quantity.

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Current Indicative Scrap Metal Prices — Melbourne & Victoria (June 2026)

Prices below are indicative ranges based on current Melbourne metropolitan market conditions. Exact pricing depends on grade, purity, volume and same-day commodity rates. Call 1300 397 678 for a confirmed quote.

Metal Type Price Range (per kg) Notes
Bare bright copper wire $7.00 – $12.50 Highest value — clean, uncoated copper only
Heavy / insulated copper $5.00 – $9.00 Insulated cable priced lower due to stripping
Aluminium (clean/sorted) $1.80 – $2.80 Extrusions and castings attract top of range
Aluminium (mixed/cans) $0.90 – $1.50 UBC cans and mixed aluminium
Steel — HMS 1 & 2 $0.30 – $0.45 Approx. $300–$450 per tonne for bulk loads
Brass (mixed) $4.20 – $7.20 Plumbing fittings, valves, turnings
Stainless steel $0.75 – $4.10 304/316 grade attracts the higher end
Lead $1.20 – $1.85 Sheet lead, batteries, wheel weights

Prices are updated regularly to reflect commodity market movements. These ranges are indicative only and do not constitute a guaranteed quote. Call Manhari Recycling on 1300 397 678 for a confirmed price on your specific metal type, grade and quantity.

What Determines Your Scrap Metal Price?

  • Metal type and grade — Non-ferrous metals (copper, brass, aluminium) are consistently worth more per kilogram than ferrous metals (steel, iron).
  • Purity and cleanliness — Bare, uncoated, unalloyed metal attracts the highest rate; mixed, painted, or contaminated metal is priced lower.
  • Sorting — Separating your metals by type before sale typically increases total payout by 10 to 25 percent compared to a mixed load.
  • Volume — Larger commercial and industrial loads can access account pricing and dedicated truck collection.
  • Global commodity markets — Copper and aluminium track the London Metal Exchange (LME); steel follows Asian steel mill demand.
  • Australian dollar exchange rate — A weaker AUD makes Australian scrap more attractive to overseas buyers, lifting local prices.

Why Scrap Metal Prices Are Rising in Victoria in 2026

Several factors are pushing Melbourne and Victorian scrap metal prices toward multi-year highs in 2026:

  1. Victoria's construction sector has rebounded following interest rate cuts, with building approvals rising significantly year-on-year.
  2. Major infrastructure projects including the Suburban Rail Loop and North East Link are consuming substantial volumes of structural steel.
  3. The Australian dollar's relative weakness against the US dollar makes Australian-sourced scrap more competitive for overseas buyers.
  4. Global copper supply has tightened due to reduced output from major mining regions, supporting higher copper scrap values.
  5. Demand from Asian manufacturing markets, particularly for recycled steel and aluminium, remains strong into 2026.

How to Get the Best Price for Your Scrap Metal

  • Separate your metals — Keep copper, aluminium, brass, and steel in different piles or containers.
  • Remove non-metal attachments — Strip plastic, rubber, and wood components where practical.
  • Call ahead for a quote — Manhari provides same-day price estimates over the phone based on your metal type and approximate weight.
  • Bring valid photo ID — Required for all scrap metal sales in Victoria under state law.

Consider volume — For loads exceeding one tonne, ask about our industrial and commercial collection service with dedicated truck collection and account pricing.

Sell Your Scrap Metal to Manhari Recycling

Manhari Recycling has been Victoria's trusted scrap metal buyer since 2007, processing over 250,000 tonnes annually across three Victorian sites. As one of the state's largest direct exporters — with buyers in over 26 countries — our pricing reflects genuine global commodity demand rather than just local market conditions.


Whether you have a small household load or a large commercial quantity, call 1300 397 678 for a same-day price estimate, request a free scrap metal bin for your business, or book a free scrap metal collection. You can also visit our Tottenham yard at 414 Somerville Road, open Monday to Friday 7am–5pm and Saturday 7am–12pm.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the current price of copper scrap in Melbourne?
As of June 2026, copper scrap in Melbourne ranges from approximately $7 to $12.50 per kg. Bare bright copper wire (clean, uncoated) attracts the highest rate, while insulated copper cable is priced lower due to stripping costs. Call Manhari on 1300 397 678 for a confirmed price on your specific copper grade.
How much is scrap aluminium worth in Victoria?
Scrap aluminium in Victoria currently ranges from $0.90 to $2.80 per kg depending on grade. Clean aluminium extrusions and castings attract higher prices than mixed aluminium or aluminium cans. Sorting your aluminium by type before selling typically increases your total payout. Contact Manhari for current rates on your aluminium scrap.
What is the scrap steel price per tonne in Melbourne?
Scrap steel (HMS — Heavy Melting Steel) in Melbourne is currently trading at approximately $0.30 to $0.45 per kg, or roughly $300 to $450 per tonne. Prices are driven by Asian steel mill demand and local construction activity. Clean, heavy steel attracts better rates than light sheet metal. Call 1300 397 678 for tonnage pricing.
Why have scrap metal prices increased in Melbourne in 2026?
Scrap metal prices in Melbourne have risen in 2026 due to a Victorian construction rebound following interest rate cuts, major infrastructure projects including the Suburban Rail Loop and North East Link consuming large volumes of steel, a weaker Australian dollar making local scrap more attractive to overseas buyers, and tightening global copper supply.
Do I need an ABN to sell scrap metal in Victoria?
No, an ABN is not required to sell scrap metal in Victoria as an individual or household seller. However, Victorian law requires every seller to present valid government-issued photo identification at the time of sale under the Second-Hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act 2014, regardless of the value or quantity being sold.
Can I get paid cash for scrap metal in Melbourne?
No. Cash payment for scrap metal has been illegal in Victoria since 2018 under state government regulation designed to deter metal theft. Manhari Recycling and all licensed Victorian scrap dealers must pay by bank transfer or electronic funds transfer (EFT), with the seller's identity verified and recorded at the time of transaction.
How can I get the best price for my scrap metal in Melbourne?
To maximise your scrap metal price in Melbourne: sort metals by type (copper, aluminium, brass, steel separately), remove non-metal attachments like plastic or rubber where practical, avoid mixed loads which are priced at the lowest-value metal present, and call ahead for a same-day quote before transporting your load.
Does Manhari Recycling offer free pickup for scrap metal in Victoria?
Yes. Manhari Recycling provides free scrap metal pickup across Melbourne and regional Victoria with no minimum load requirement for most collections. Larger commercial and industrial loads receive priority truck dispatch. Call 1300 397 678 to book a free collection and receive a price estimate over the phone.