Most people don’t think about scrap metal until they’re knee-deep in a renovation, clearing out a shed, or dealing with a damaged car that’s been sitting in the driveway for six months. Then suddenly the question hits — what is all this actually worth?
The honest answer is: it depends, and it changes. If you’ve been holding onto copper pipe, old aluminium frames, or a pile of steel offcuts, the price you get today could be noticeably different from what you’d have gotten three months ago. That’s just how the metal market works.
At Johnny Metal Recycling (JMR) in Braeside, we deal with this every day. We buy scrap metal from Melbourne homeowners, tradies, factories, and demolition crews — and we update our scrap metal prices in Melbourne regularly to make sure what we’re paying actually reflects the market. Here’s where things stand right now.
What We’re Currently Paying (July 2026)
All prices are per kilogram:
Non-Ferrous:
- Copper (bright/clean) — up to $11.80/kg
- Heavy copper — up to $11.20/kg
- Mixed brass — around $7.20/kg
- Aluminium — $1.80 to $2.80/kg
- Stainless steel — $3.20 to $4.10/kg
Ferrous:
- HMS steel — $0.30 to $0.42/kg
These aren’t fixed numbers — they shift with the market. If you want to know the exact rate on the day you’re planning to sell, just call us on 0449 894 456, and we’ll give you a current quote on the spot.
Why Do Prices Keep Moving?
This is the question we get most often, especially from people who checked prices six weeks ago and are surprised the number is different today.
Scrap metal is a global commodity. Copper doesn’t just have a “Melbourne price” — it trades on international exchanges like the London Metal Exchange (LME) and the Shanghai Futures Exchange, and what happens in those markets flows directly into what recyclers here can pay. When Chinese manufacturers are buying up copper, prices rise. When industrial output slows, they ease off.
Then there’s the Australian dollar. Because metals are priced in US dollars globally, when the AUD drops against the USD, local buyers can sometimes pay more in Australian terms. When the AUD strengthens, the reverse can happen.
Right now, copper has been one of the stronger performers. We’ve seen roughly an 18% increase in copper rates through 2026, which comes down to two things — tighter global supply from major mining regions, and the fact that Victoria has had a significant pipeline of infrastructure work going through. Rail projects, energy upgrades, broadband rollouts — all of it uses copper, and that local demand matters.
On top of all that, the quality and grade of your metal play a big role. A load of clean, stripped copper wire is a very different thing to a pile of insulated mixed cable. The first fetches top dollar. The second still has value, but it’s graded down to account for the extra processing involved.
What’s Worth the Most Right Now?
If you’re sorting through a mixed load and wondering where to focus your energy, here’s the honest priority order:
Bright, clean copper is at the top — up to $11.80/kg. If you’ve got uninsulated copper wire, clean pipe offcuts, or stripped electrical cable, that’s your most valuable material. Heavy copper (thicker pipe with minor oxidation, bus bars, that sort of thing) runs just behind at up to $11.20/kg.
Brass is a solid earner at around $7.20/kg. Old taps, valves, plumbing fittings — it adds up faster than most people expect, especially after a bathroom reno.
Stainless steel sits in a decent middle ground at $3.20–$4.10/kg. Commercial kitchen gear, industrial tanks, exhaust systems — if it’s stainless, separate it from the mild steel pile because the price difference is significant.
Aluminium runs $1.80–$2.80/kg depending on the form. Window frames, car wheels, extrusions, and cans all fall into this category.
HMS steel is at the lower end per kilo ($0.30–$0.42/kg), but when you’ve got volume — a ute full of structural steel, say — it still adds up to a real payout.
A Few Things That Make a Genuine Difference to Your Payout
We see people leave money on the table with mixed loads all the time. It’s not that they’re doing anything wrong — they just don’t know that basic sorting can shift the total payout by 20–30%.
Keep your copper separate from everything else. Keep stainless away from the mild steel pile. If you’ve got copper wire with insulation still on it, stripping it before you come in moves it from a lower-grade material to bright copper pricing — that’s a meaningful jump per kilo.
The same goes for removing non-metal parts where you can. Brass fittings with rubber O-rings and plastic washers still get bought, but a cleaner load grades better.
For bigger loads — 500 kg or more — we offer free mobile pickup anywhere in Melbourne and surrounding areas. No need to hire a trailer or make multiple trips. Call us and we’ll come to you.
The Process, Simply Explained
First time selling scrap? Here’s all you need to know:
Call or reach out, describe what you’ve got and roughly how much of it. We’ll give you a quote based on current rates. You either drop it off at Braeside or we arrange a pickup if your load qualifies. We weigh everything, confirm the price, and pay you the same day on the spot. For vehicles, payment goes by bank transfer or cheque — cash for cars has been illegal in Victoria since May 2018.
That’s genuinely it. No waiting around for invoices or follow-up calls.
For Businesses and Larger Operations
If you’re a manufacturer, builder, electrician, or running any kind of commercial operation that generates regular scrap, it’s worth having a conversation with us about an ongoing arrangement. JMR handles factory dismantling and large-volume commercial collections, and with over 6 years in the industry and full compliance with Victorian regulations, we’re set up to handle accounts of any size.
Damaged and End-of-Life Vehicles
Worth mentioning separately — JMR also buys damaged, written-off, and unregistered vehicles. We pay up to $14,999 depending on the vehicle, and towing is included at no cost. As noted above, payment is by bank transfer or cheque as required by Victorian law.
Before You Load Up and Drive Over
The market moves. What we were paying last Tuesday might be slightly different today. It takes two minutes to call and confirm — 0449 894 456 — and it can genuinely be the difference between a good scrap metal price and a great one.
You can also reach us at johnnymetalrecycling@gmail.com or drop in at 1/9 Breaside Drive, Braeside VIC 3195. More information at jmrecycling.com.au.
