Copper vs Brass vs Aluminium: Which Scrap Metal Pays the Most in Melbourne?

If you've ever stood in the shed looking at a heap of old metal and wondered which bits are worth hauling to the yard, this one's for you.

People ask us all the time: "Is it worth my while sorting this, or should I just chuck it all in together?" My answer is always the same. Sort it. The three metals most people have lying around, copper, brass and aluminium, are priced very differently, and mixing them together can cost you money.

Here's how they compare when it comes to scrap metal prices in Melbourne, why the gap is so big, and how to make sure you get the most from each one.

Copper pays the most. Brass comes second. Aluminium pays the least of the three.

That ranking holds nearly every week, even though the actual dollar figures move with the market. Copper is the high-value metal. Brass is a solid middle. Aluminium is the lightweight, low-priced one that makes up for it in volume.

Steel and iron sit below all three, which is why a magnet is such a handy tool. We'll get to that below.

Copper: The Top Earner

Copper is the metal I'd look for first in any scrap pile. It conducts electricity better than almost any other affordable metal, so it's wanted everywhere, in wiring, motors, transformers and pipes. That steady demand keeps the price high.

It's had a strong run lately, too. Global copper hit a record high in January 2026 and has stayed well above last year's levels. Earlier this year, clean bare bright copper in Australia was reportedly bringing roughly $10 to $11.75 a kilo, with clean No. 1 pipe around $10 to $11 and mixed or No. 2 copper around $9 to $10. Insulated cable pays much less, as the plastic has to be removed first. Those are a rough guide to how the grades compare, not a quote, so call us for today's rate.

Where to find it: old electrical wire, plumbing pipe, hot water systems, air conditioner coils, motors, transformers and switchboard bus bar.

What to watch: the grade matters a lot. Clean, shiny copper wire or pipe with no solder or fittings earns the most. The same copper with steel brackets, plastic or solder attached gets graded down.

Brass: A Solid Second

Brass is copper mixed with zinc. That zinc is the reason it pays less than copper per kilo, but it still sits comfortably above most other household metals.

You'll find brass in old taps, valves, tap spouts, door handles, keys, plumbing fittings and some marine hardware. It's heavy, so a bucket of old fittings adds up quicker than people expect.

Where to find it: the laundry, the bathroom, the garage and anywhere a plumber has been.

What to watch: brass isn't magnetic. If a magnet sticks to your "brass" tap, it's plated steel or has a steel core, and it'll be priced lower. If there's plastic, rubber or steel attached and it comes off easily, take it off before you bring it in.

Aluminium: Low Price, Big Volume

Aluminium pays a fraction of what copper does. It's light, common and easy to recycle, so there's plenty of supply and the price per kilo stays low.

But don't write it off. Window frames, gutters, ladders, bike frames, barbecue parts, cast wheels and cans all add up. A single frame won't make much difference, but a trailer load from a renovation or a factory clean-out is well worth bringing in.

Where to find it: window and door frames, gutters, fencing, caravan parts, and anything that's light and not magnetic.

What to watch: keep it separate from steel, and sort the clean pieces from anything with lots of rubber, glass or screws still attached.

How to Tell Them Apart

You don't need a lab to sort your scrap. A few simple checks do the job:

• Colour. Copper is a reddish-orange. Brass is yellow-gold. Aluminium is silver-grey.

• Magnet. None of the three sticks to a magnet. If it does stick, it's steel or iron, and it's worth far less.

• Weight. Aluminium feels surprisingly light for its size. Copper and brass feel heavy.

• Scratch test. Scratch a hidden spot with a file or a screwdriver. Fresh copper shows red, brass shows yellow, and aluminium shows bright silver.

If you're not sure, bring it in or send us a photo, and we'll tell you what you've got.

Why the Prices Are so Different

A few things drive the gap:

• Demand. Copper is in almost everything electrical, so demand is huge.

• Cost to produce. Making new copper is expensive, which keeps the value of recycled copper high.

• Alloy content. Brass is part zinc, so you're paid for the copper in it, not the whole piece.

• Supply. There's far more aluminium around than copper, which holds the price down.

Prices for all three also follow the global market and the Australian dollar, so they shift from week to week. That's why we never quote a rate that doesn't match the day.

How to Get the Best Price for Each Metal

Sort first. Copper, brass, aluminium and steel in separate piles. A mixed load gets priced as the cheapest thing in it.

Strip what's quick to strip. Take off plastic and steel bits that come off in a minute or two. Don't spend an hour on a few metres of cable.

Keep it clean. Dirt, paint, oil and solder all lower the grade.

Ask how it's graded. A good buyer will explain the grade and the price. If they can't, shop around.

Check the rate on the day. Prices move, so ask before you load the ute.

Bring photo ID. Scrap buyers commonly ask for it, so have it on you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which scrap metal pays the most in Melbourne? Copper, by a clear margin. Clean bare bright and No. 1 copper sit at the top, followed by mixed copper. Brass comes next, then aluminium.

Is brass worth more than aluminium? Yes, per kilo. Brass contains copper, so it pays well above aluminium, although aluminium is usually easier to collect in large quantities.

Is it worth sorting my scrap before I bring it in? Absolutely. Sorted metal is graded properly and earns the right rate. A mixed pile gets priced down to the lowest-value metal in it.

How do I know if something is brass or just brass-coloured? Try a magnet. Real brass won't stick. If it does, it's plated steel. Weight and colour help too.

Does aluminium have any value at all? Yes. It pays less per kilo than copper or brass, but it adds up fast in volume, especially from renovations and clean-outs.

Can I sell mixed metals together? You can, but you'll almost always get a better return by sorting. Copper in a mixed pile won't be paid at the copper rate.

Can I get a quote before I bring it in? [Confirm you offer this.] Send us a description or photo of your load and we'll give you a rough idea of what it's worth. The final price is confirmed once your metal is weighed and graded.

Ready to Sell Your Scrap?

Whether you've got a bucket of old taps, a coil of copper pipe or a trailer full of aluminium, it's worth finding out what it's worth. Get in touch with the team at Fast Copper Scrap on 0403 458 309 or visit www.fastcopperscrap.com.au to check the latest scrap metal prices in Melbourne and get a quote