EDITOR NOTE: The figures below are indicative market ranges for general guidance only and are not Sky Scrap Metal’s current buying rates. Lead prices change daily with the global market. Call Sky Scrap Metal on 0402 757 290 for a real time price.
Quick Answer
Scrap lead in Melbourne is generally worth about $1.50 to $3.00 per kilogram for clean lead in 2026. Clean soft lead, sheet lead, roof flashing, pipe, and ingots sit at the top of that range. Mixed or contaminated lead, such as wheel weights, returns a little less, around $1.00 to $2.00 per kilogram. Lead acid car batteries are priced separately by weight, usually about $0.10 to $0.50 per kilogram, which works out to roughly $10 to $20 for a standard car battery. Lead is dense and highly recyclable, and steady demand from battery manufacturing keeps it consistently valuable.
Scrap Lead Prices in Melbourne 2026
Lead type | What it usually is | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|
Clean lead | Soft lead, sheet lead, roof flashing, pipe, ingots | $1.50 to $3.00/kg |
Mixed or contaminated lead | Wheel weights, painted or dirty lead | $1.00 to $2.00/kg |
Lead acid car battery | Standard 12 volt car or light vehicle battery | about $10 to $20 each |
Truck and commercial battery | Larger, heavier lead acid batteries | about $30 to $50 or more each |
Indicative ranges are compiled from publicly available Melbourne market data, including West Metal Recycling, Metro Copper Recycling, Vic Star Metals, Metal Force Recycling, and Union Metal Recycling, cross checked against Sky Scrap Metal’s 2026 Melbourne price guide, which lists clean lead at about $2.00 to $3.00 per kilogram and lead acid batteries from about $0.10 per kilogram. Metal Force Recycling and Union Metal Recycling list comparable lead ranges.
EDITOR NOTE: Price ranges in this guide are compiled from publicly available Melbourne and Australian market data (accessed June 2026) and are indicative only. They are not Sky Scrap Metal’s buying rates and do not constitute a quote or an offer. Scrap metal prices change daily with the global market, the grade of your metal, and the volume you bring. For an accurate, current price, call Sky Scrap Metal on 0402 757 290.
How Much Is Lead Worth Per Kg, Per Kilo, and Per Pound?
Per kilogram and per kilo are the same, and lead is priced per kilogram in Australia. Clean lead is worth about $1.50 to $3.00 per kilogram in 2026. One kilogram of clean lead therefore sits in that same $1.50 to $3.00 band. If you have seen a per pound figure, one kilogram is about 2.2 pounds, so a rate of $2.20 per kilogram is roughly $1.00 per pound. Lead tracks the global lead market, so the rate can move week to week, and calling ahead gives you an accurate expectation.
What is lead worth by weight?
Weight of clean lead | Indicative value |
|---|---|
1 kg | about $1.50 to $3.00 |
10 kg | about $15 to $30 |
50 kg | about $75 to $150 |
Where Scrap Lead Comes From
Lead turns up in more places than most people expect. Common sources include roof flashing and sheet lead from building and renovation work, lead pipe from older plumbing, wheel weights from tyre and mechanic shops, lead acid batteries from cars and trucks, and offcuts from specialist trades. Because lead is very dense, even a small pile can weigh a surprising amount, which makes it worth collecting rather than throwing away.
Clean Lead vs Mixed Lead: Why Preparation Pays
As with every metal, cleanliness drives the price. Clean soft lead that is free of paint, plastic, steel clips, and other attachments earns the top rate because it can be melted down with minimal processing. Wheel weights and painted or dirty lead are still accepted, but they carry contamination the yard has to remove, so they are priced lower. Keeping clean lead separate from mixed lead, and separate again from batteries, is the simplest way to lift your overall return.
How Much Are Lead Acid Batteries Worth as Scrap?
Car and truck batteries are valued by weight rather than by a clean lead rate, because they contain lead, acid, and plastic that all have to be separated during recycling. The heavier the battery, the more lead it contains and the more it is worth. A standard 12 volt car battery weighing around 12 to 15 kilograms is typically worth about $10 to $20, while heavy commercial batteries can return $30 to $50 or more. UPS and industrial batteries are also accepted and priced on weight. For a full breakdown of battery values, see our 2026 car battery price guide. If a battery is cracked or leaking acid, seal it in a container or double bag it before transport and let the yard know so it can be handled safely.
How Much Do You Get for Scrap Lead, and How to Sell It
- Separate clean lead from mixed lead. Soft lead and sheet lead should not be lumped in with wheel weights or batteries.
- Remove attachments where safe. Take off steel clips, plastic, and heavy paint so clean lead is priced as clean lead.
- Keep batteries apart. Batteries are weighed and priced on their own, so do not mix them with loose lead.
- Build up volume. Lead is dense, so even modest quantities add up, and larger loads can be collected.
- Bring photo ID and call for the day’s rate. Victorian yards record photo identification, and lead prices move with the global market.
Lead is heavy and can be hazardous, so wash your hands after handling it and avoid breathing dust from old painted lead. For more on the lead we accept and how we grade it, see our clean lead scrap page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much is scrap lead worth?
Clean scrap lead in Melbourne is generally worth about $1.50 to $3.00 per kilogram in 2026. Mixed or contaminated lead returns a little less. Call 0402 757 290 for a current rate.
Q. How much is lead per kg scrap?
Clean lead is about $1.50 to $3.00 per kilogram, and mixed or contaminated lead about $1.00 to $2.00 per kilogram, in Melbourne in 2026.
Q. How much is 1kg of lead?
One kilogram of clean scrap lead is worth about $1.50 to $3.00 at Melbourne yards in 2026, depending on cleanliness and the daily lead market.
Q. How much is lead per kilo?
Per kilo is the same as per kilogram. Clean lead is roughly $1.50 to $3.00 per kilo, with mixed lead lower.
Q. How much do you get for scrap lead?
Your payout is the weight multiplied by the grade rate. As an example, 50 kilograms of clean lead at about $2.00 per kilogram returns roughly $100. You are paid after weighing.
Q. How much does lead cost per kg?
As scrap, clean lead is bought at about $1.50 to $3.00 per kilogram in Melbourne in 2026. Buying new lead costs more, since scrap pricing reflects recovery value.
Q. How much are lead acid batteries worth as scrap?
A standard 12 volt lead acid car battery is typically worth about $10 to $20, and heavy truck or commercial batteries $30 to $50 or more, because they are priced by weight and heavier units contain more lead.
Q. Is lead from roof flashing worth money?
Yes. Sheet lead and roof flashing are clean soft lead, one of the higher value lead grades. Keep it free of nails, timber, and bitumen for the best rate.
Q. Where can I sell scrap lead in Melbourne?
Sky Scrap Metal in Dandenong buys clean lead, mixed lead, and lead acid batteries, and pays on the spot. Call 0402 757 290 or drop in to 297 Hammond Road for a quote.
Sell Your Scrap to Sky Scrap Metal in Dandenong
Sky Scrap Metal is a licensed scrap metal buyer based at 297 Hammond Road, Dandenong, in Melbourne’s south east. We buy all grades of ferrous and non ferrous metal from homeowners, tradies, demolition crews, and businesses, and we pay on the spot after weighing and inspection. Call or send a photo for a quick estimate, drop in to the yard, or book a collection for larger loads.
Call: 0402 757 290 or 03 8753 6373
Yard: 297 Hammond Road, Dandenong, VIC 3175
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 am to 12:30 pm
Get a quote: Request a price for your scrap