Understanding scrap aluminium price Australia per kg 2026 is essential for anyone selling cans, extrusion profiles, sheet metal, or alloy-based scrap. Aluminium is one of the most commonly recycled metals in Australia due to its lightweight nature and high reuse efficiency, but its value can fluctuate significantly based on global commodity trends, purity levels, and contamination. This often leaves sellers unsure whether they are receiving a fair price for their material.
This guide explains the latest aluminium scrap prices in Australia, breaks down key aluminium types such as cans, cast aluminium, and extrusions, and highlights typical per-kg values across major cities including Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. It also outlines practical ways to improve your returns by sorting aluminium correctly, removing contamination, and selling through trusted scrap platforms like ScrapTrade for better transparency and competitive pricing.
Current Scrap Aluminium Price in Australia (2026)
Aluminium scrap prices in Australia remain highly dependent on grade, contamination level, and global aluminium demand. Because aluminium is widely used in packaging, construction, and transport industries, pricing varies across different scrap categories.
Average Aluminium Scrap Price Per Kg
| Aluminium Type | Description | Price (AUD/kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium Cans | Beverage cans | $1.40 – $1.80/kg |
| Clean Extrusions | Window frames, profiles | $2.00 – $4.00/kg |
| Aluminium Sheet | Flat clean aluminium | $1.80 – $3.50/kg |
| Cast Aluminium | Engine parts, wheels | $1.20 – $3.00/kg |
| Mixed Aluminium | Contaminated or mixed grade | $0.80 – $2.00/kg |
Aluminium prices fluctuate based on purity, volume, local buyer demand, and global market trends, particularly shifts in LME aluminium rates and recycling industry activity.
Types of Aluminium Scrap and Their Value in Australia
Aluminium scrap pricing in Australia depends heavily on the type of material, its cleanliness, and how easily it can be recycled. Understanding each category helps sellers maximise returns when selling online or through scrap yards.
Aluminium Cans (Lowest Grade but High Volume)
Aluminium cans are one of the most commonly collected scrap materials.
They are widely available from beverage packaging and are easy to recycle, but they usually sit in the lower price range due to their thin structure and contamination from coatings or liquids. Despite the lower per-kg value, high volume collection makes them profitable over time.
Clean Aluminium Extrusions (High Value Scrap)
Clean aluminium extrusions are among the most valuable aluminium scrap types.
They come from window frames, door systems, and industrial profiles. Because they are usually pure and easy to process when clean and sorted, they attract higher scrap aluminium prices in Australia compared to mixed grades.
Aluminium Sheet Scrap
Aluminium sheet scrap typically comes from roofing, construction materials, and industrial offcuts.
Its value depends on how clean and free from paint or contamination it is. Clean sheet aluminium can achieve strong pricing, while mixed or coated sheets are valued lower due to additional processing requirements.
Cast Aluminium (Automotive Scrap)
Cast aluminium is commonly sourced from automotive components such as engine parts and alloy wheels.
It often contains mixed alloys, which slightly reduces its price compared to cleaner aluminium types. However, it remains in steady demand due to its use in manufacturing and recycling industries, especially when properly sorted and free from heavy contamination.
What Affects Scrap Aluminium Price in Australia?
Scrap aluminium prices in Australia are influenced by global market conditions as well as local supply and quality factors. Because aluminium is widely traded as a commodity, even small changes in demand or purity can significantly impact the price per kilogram.
Key Price Drivers
Several factors determine how much scrap aluminium is worth in the Australian market.
The global aluminium commodity prices play a major role, as aluminium is linked to international trading markets and manufacturing demand. When global prices rise, local scrap aluminium rates typically increase as well.
Grade and cleanliness of scrap is another critical factor. Clean aluminium such as extrusions or sheet metal attracts higher prices compared to mixed or contaminated material.
Level of contamination also affects pricing. Scrap mixed with plastic, steel, paint, or other materials requires additional processing, which reduces its overall value.
Quantity being sold can influence per-kg rates, with bulk volumes often receiving better pricing from buyers who prefer larger, more efficient transactions.
Local buyer competition in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth can also drive prices higher due to increased demand among scrap yards and recyclers.
Why Clean Aluminium Pays More
Clean aluminium consistently achieves better pricing because it is easier and cheaper to recycle.
It requires less processing before melting, which reduces operational costs for buyers. It also delivers higher recycling efficiency, allowing more aluminium to be reused with minimal material loss. Additionally, lower melting and sorting costs make clean aluminium more attractive in competitive scrap markets, resulting in stronger offers for sellers who properly sort and prepare their materials.
Scrap Aluminium Price by City (Australia 2026)
Scrap aluminium prices in Australia vary slightly across cities due to differences in industrial demand, recycling capacity, and local competition among scrap buyers. While global aluminium markets influence all regions, each city offers its own pricing dynamics.
Perth Aluminium Scrap Price
Perth benefits from strong demand driven by construction, infrastructure, and resource-related industries. This results in consistent competition among scrap yards, which helps maintain competitive aluminium pricing. Clean and sorted aluminium typically performs best in this market.
Sydney & Melbourne Rates
Sydney and Melbourne are the largest scrap trading hubs in Australia, with high industrial output and large volumes of recyclable aluminium entering the market. Pricing in these cities is generally stable but highly competitive due to the presence of multiple buyers and recyclers competing for supply.
Adelaide Aluminium Scrap Value
Adelaide has a smaller scrap market compared to other major cities, but pricing remains relatively stable. Sellers who provide clean, well-sorted aluminium such as extrusions or sheet scrap can still achieve strong returns despite lower overall market volume.
How to Get the Best Scrap Aluminium Price Per Kg in Australia
Maximising your scrap aluminium price per kg depends on how well you sort, clean, and present your material. Buyers pay more for aluminium that requires less processing, so preparation directly impacts your final payout.
Proven Tips to Increase Value
Getting better returns on aluminium scrap comes down to improving quality and reducing contamination.
Separate aluminium by type (cans, extrusion, cast)
Different aluminium grades have different values, so keeping them separated ensures accurate grading and better pricing from buyers.
Remove steel or plastic attachments
Non-aluminium materials reduce scrap value because they increase processing time and cost for recyclers.
Clean heavy contamination
Removing paint, dirt, oil, or mixed metals improves material quality and helps achieve higher per-kg rates.
Sell in bulk quantities
Larger volumes often attract better pricing since buyers prefer efficient, high-volume transactions.
Compare multiple scrap buyers before selling
Prices can vary between yards and online platforms, so comparing offers helps ensure you receive the most competitive aluminium scrap price available.
Selling Scrap Aluminium Online in Australia
Selling scrap aluminium online has become one of the most efficient ways to improve returns and access better pricing compared to traditional scrap yards. Digital platforms make it easier for sellers to understand real-time market demand and connect with multiple buyers.
Selling aluminium online helps you:
- Compare live scrap aluminium prices across different buyers and regions
- Reach a wider network of verified scrap buyers across Australia
- Improve final selling price through competitive bidding and market transparency
By using online scrap trading platforms such as ScrapTrade Australia, sellers can better understand aluminium grades, reduce pricing uncertainty, and secure more competitive offers compared to local-only selling options.
FAQs
1. What is the current scrap aluminium price in Australia per kg?
Scrap aluminium prices in Australia typically range from around $0.80/kg for mixed aluminium scrap up to $4.00/kg for clean extrusions. The final price depends on grade, cleanliness, quantity, and current market demand influenced by global aluminium commodity trends.
2. What aluminium scrap pays the most?
Clean aluminium extrusions and certain cast aluminium materials such as alloy wheels generally pay the highest rates. These grades are more valuable because they require less processing and deliver higher recycling efficiency for buyers.
3. Why do aluminium prices change so often?
Aluminium scrap prices fluctuate due to global commodity market movements, energy costs involved in aluminium production, industrial demand, and competition among scrap buyers in local Australian markets.
4. Can I sell aluminium cans for cash in Australia?
Yes, aluminium cans are widely accepted at scrap yards and recycling centres across Australia. However, they typically have lower per-kg value compared to cleaner aluminium grades like extrusions or sheet aluminium.
5. How can I increase my aluminium scrap value?
You can increase aluminium scrap value by sorting materials by grade, removing contamination such as plastic or steel, cleaning scrap properly, and selling in bulk quantities through competitive online platforms to attract better offers.
Conclusion
The scrap aluminium price in Australia per kg (2026) varies depending on grade, cleanliness, demand, and location. High-value materials such as clean extrusions and cast aluminium consistently deliver the best returns, while aluminium cans and mixed scrap remain lower in price but are widely available and easy to collect in volume.
By understanding aluminium grades and market differences, sellers can make better decisions, improve sorting practices, and increase overall earnings in the Australian scrap metal market.