Copper is generally the highest-paying common scrap metal per kilogram in Adelaide—but grade, cleanliness and load size decide what your scrap is actually worth. This guide compares the main metals and shows how to identify the most valuable material in a mixed load.
Quick answer: clean bare bright copper usually has the highest per-kilogram value among the common metals Adelaide households and trades bring to a scrap yard. No. 1 copper and clean brass generally follow. However, a large steel, aluminium or commercial load can be worth more in total than a small amount of copper.
| Public benchmark, not a guaranteed quote: A third-party Adelaide price table updated 23 July 2026 lists bare bright copper at A$14.90/kg, No. 1 copper at A$14.80/kg, other clean copper at A$13.80/kg, brass at A$10.00/kg, aluminium extrusion at A$2.90/kg, lead at A$1.70/kg, stainless steel at A$1.10/kg and basic steel at A$0.10/kg. SA Copper Scraps confirms its own current rate only after inspection, grading and weighing. |
Adelaide scrap metal value ranking for 2026
This table answers the per-kilogram question using a recent local public benchmark. It does not mean every item containing that metal receives the clean-metal rate. Coatings, insulation, solder, steel attachments, moisture and mixed material can change the grade.
| Rank | Common scrap category | Public Adelaide benchmark | Examples and grading note |
| 1 | Bare bright copper | A$14.90/kg | Clean, shiny, uncoated and unburnt copper wire; the highest common grade in this comparison. |
| 2 | No. 1 copper | A$14.80/kg | Clean pipe, tube, busbar and heavy copper without solder, paint or fittings. |
| 3 | Other clean copper | A$13.80/kg | Lower copper grade; solder, paint, oxidation or attachments affect classification. |
| 4 | Brass | A$10.00/kg | Clean taps, valves and fittings; chrome, steel, rubber and mixed attachments can affect grade. |
| 5 | PVC-coated copper wire | A$5.30/kg | Value varies widely with copper recovery, insulation, plugs and cable type. |
| 6 | Aluminium extrusion | A$2.90/kg | Clean window-frame and structural profiles generally differ from cast or domestic aluminium. |
| 7 | Lead | A$1.70/kg | Sheet, flashing and eligible lead scrap require careful, contained handling. |
| 8 | Stainless steel | A$1.10/kg | Actual value depends on alloy grade, nickel content, attachments and cleanliness. |
| 9 | Basic steel | A$0.10/kg | Low rate per kilogram, but commercial and structural loads can add up through volume. |
Why copper is usually Adelaide’s most valuable common scrap metal
Copper combines strong industrial demand with high recyclability and a relatively high recoverable metal value. It appears in electrical systems, plumbing, construction, motors, transformers, air-conditioning components and industrial equipment.
The word copper is not a single price category. A clean piece of bare wire requires less processing than PVC-coated cable or pipe covered with solder and fittings. That difference explains why the copper scrap price Adelaide guide separates bare bright, No. 1, lower-grade copper and insulated wire.
Bare bright copper
This is normally the strongest common copper category. The wire should be bare, bright, clean, uncoated and unburnt. Fine strands, heavy oxidation or contamination may result in a different classification.
No. 1 copper pipe and solid copper
Clean plumbing tube, busbar and heavy copper can receive a strong rate when it is free from solder, brass fittings, paint, steel clips and other attachments. Soldered renovation pipe should be kept separate for inspection.
Insulated copper cable
Insulated wire contains both copper and non-metal material, so its value depends on recovery. Thick cable with a high copper proportion is not the same as fine household or communications wire. The cable scrap price guide explains why cable categories can vary.
Brass: often the next valuable household and plumbing metal
Brass contains copper and zinc and is common in plumbing, hardware and mechanical components. Adelaide sellers often find it in taps, valves, water fittings, door handles, locks and decorative fixtures.
Clean yellow brass is easier to grade than a mixed tap assembly containing chrome plating, steel screws, cartridges, hoses and rubber washers. Keep brass apart from copper and review the brass scrap price Adelaide guide before visiting.
Aluminium: lower per kilogram, useful value in volume
Aluminium is much lighter than copper or brass, so a small household pile may not weigh much. Its advantage is availability: window frames, extrusion, sheet, cast automotive parts, outdoor furniture and mag wheels can create worthwhile volume.
Different aluminium grades should not automatically be mixed. Clean extrusion can be assessed differently from domestic aluminium, cast pieces, cans or alloy wheels. See the aluminium recycling Adelaide service for accepted categories.
Lead, batteries and stainless steel
Loose lead can come from roof flashing, sheet, weights and some older building materials. Handle it carefully, wear gloves and avoid cutting or sanding it. Keep eligible loose lead separate from vehicle batteries.
Lead-acid batteries have a different buying and handling process. Keep batteries upright, do not open or drain them, and protect terminals from contact with loose metal. Use the battery scrap price guide for preparation details.
Stainless steel can outperform basic steel because it contains alloying elements such as nickel and chromium. Its grade cannot always be confirmed by appearance alone, and some stainless products contain attached ordinary steel or non-metal components.
Steel: the lowest rate can still produce a valuable load
Steel is normally much lower in value per kilogram than copper or brass, but the total value equation is different. Structural offcuts, machinery, farm equipment and commercial clean-outs may produce hundreds or thousands of kilograms.
For example, 10 kilograms of a high-value metal can be worth less overall than several tonnes of properly prepared steel. This is why “what pays the most per kg?” and “what load is worth the most?” are different questions. Review the steel scrap price Adelaide guide and call ahead about large, heavy or unusual loads.
How to estimate the value of a scrap metal load
Use a simple calculation for each separately graded category:
| Estimated gross value = accepted weight × applicable rate per kilogram This remains only an estimate until the yard confirms the material, grade, deductions if applicable, weight and current buying rate. |
Do not apply the bare bright copper figure to the total weight of an insulated cable load. The insulation is part of the scale weight but not recoverable copper. Similarly, a tap assembly may include brass, steel, plastic and rubber rather than one clean metal.
What changes the price of valuable scrap?
- Grade and purity: cleaner, identifiable grades generally require less processing.
- Attachments: steel screws, brass fittings, insulation, rubber and plastic affect recoverable content.
- Contamination: oil, soil, paint, moisture and general waste may affect acceptance or value.
- Weight and volume: total load value depends on accepted weight as well as the per-kilogram rate.
- Market movement: commodity prices, exchange rates and local demand change over time.
- Safe preparation: sealed equipment, batteries, cylinders and hazardous items need the correct process.
How to get the best value from your scrap metal
- Identify the broad metal type. Separate copper, cable, brass, aluminium, lead, batteries, stainless and steel. Use a magnet only as an initial guide.
- Separate the valuable grades. Keep bare copper away from pipe, mixed copper and insulated cable. Divide obvious aluminium and brass categories.
- Remove easy attachments safely. Remove accessible fittings only when ordinary hand tools can do so safely. Do not dismantle sealed or hazardous equipment.
- Keep material dry and organised. Exclude rubbish, loose soil and liquids. Use strong containers and secure sharp or heavy pieces for transport.
- Check the right price category. Start with the scrap metal prices Adelaide hub, then open the page matching the material you actually have.
- Confirm the current in-store rate. Call 08 7225 9998 with the material, approximate weight and condition before bringing a valuable or unusual load.
Where to sell valuable scrap metal in Adelaide
SA Copper Scraps buys eligible material at 12 Belfree Drive, Green Fields SA 5107. Homeowners, electricians, plumbers, builders, mechanics, manufacturers and other businesses can bring material for inspection, grading and weighing.
Explore the mixed scrap metal buyers page, view all scrap metal services, or find local information in the Adelaide service-area directory.
Frequently asked questions
1. What scrap metal is worth the most in Adelaide?
Bare bright copper is generally the highest-value common scrap metal per kilogram. A public Adelaide table updated 23 July 2026 lists it at A$14.90/kg, but final yard prices depend on grade, condition, weight and current market movement.
2. Is brass or copper worth more?
Copper normally has the higher per-kilogram value. In the same public Adelaide comparison, bare bright copper is A$14.90/kg and brass is A$10.00/kg. Mixed, contaminated or attached material may be graded differently.
3. What type of copper pays the most?
Clean bare bright copper wire usually leads common copper grades. It should be shiny, uncoated, unburnt and free from insulation, solder, paint and attachments.
4. Is insulated copper wire valuable?
Yes, but its price depends on copper recovery. Thick cable with a high copper proportion may be worth more than fine cable with heavy insulation. Keep it separate from stripped wire.
5. Is aluminium worth taking to a scrap yard?
It can be, especially in volume. Clean extrusion, frames, sheet, cast aluminium and alloy wheels may be graded separately. Aluminium is light, so total weight matters.
6. Why is steel worth less than copper?
Steel is abundant and generally has a lower commodity value per kilogram. Copper has higher recoverable value and demand. Large steel loads can still produce a greater total return than a small copper load.
7. How do I tell if metal is valuable?
Colour, weight and a magnet can provide clues, but plated and mixed items can be misleading. Keep uncertain material separate and ask the yard to identify it rather than grinding, burning or chemically testing it.
8. Do scrap metal prices change every day?
They can. Rates respond to commodity markets, exchange rates, local demand and processing costs. Check the date and grade behind any online figure and confirm the current rate near your visit.
9. Should I clean scrap metal before selling it?
Remove easy non-metal attachments where safe, keep the load dry and exclude rubbish. Do not use fire, chemicals or unsafe dismantling methods. The yard makes the final grade decision.
Bring eligible scrap to SA Copper Scraps at 12 Belfree Drive, Green Fields SA 5107. Call 08 7225 9998 for current guidance before visiting with a valuable, large or unusual load.
| Find out what your scrap is worth Tell SA Copper Scraps what metal you have, its approximate weight and whether it is clean or mixed. Final pricing follows in-store inspection, grading and weighing. Request a quote Call 08 7225 9998 |
