Every time our laser cutter finishes a sheet, it leaves a steel skeleton behind. It looks like a giant cookie cutter tray, all holes and thin strips. Customers often ask where that scrap goes, and the honest answer is: almost certainly into new steel.
The national numbers back that up. The latest metal recycling statistics in Australia put metal at the top of the recovery ladder, with 89.9% clawed back in 2022-23. That figure comes from the latest national dataset, which the federal government updates every two years. To keep this guide current, we have added the newest industry figures from 2024 to 2026 alongside it.
Our team at Swift Metal Fabrication has spent 55 combined years cutting, folding and welding metal in Melbourne. This guide explains the latest metal recycling rates in Australia and what they mean for your next metal project.
Key Takeaways
- Australia recovered 89.9% of its metal waste in 2022-23, the highest rate of any material category.
- Overall, Australia recovered 66% of its 75.6 million tonnes of waste that year, up from 49% in 2006-07.
- South Australia leads at 95.6% metal recovery. Victoria sits at about 83%, below the national average.
- Metal packaging recovery rose to 55% in 2023-24, still well behind metal overall.
- Australia exported 1.71 million tonnes of ferrous scrap in 2022-23.
- InfraBuild, Australia’s second-largest metals recycler, recycles around 1.4 million tonnes of metal a year (FY25).
- Each tonne of recycled steel saves about 1,400 kg of iron ore, 740 kg of coal and 120 kg of limestone.
Metal Recycling Statistics Australia at a Glance
| Statistic | Figure | Data year | Source |
| Metal recovery rate | 89.9% | 2022-23 | DCCEEW, 2024 |
| Metal recovery rate (previous report) | 87% | 2020-21 | National Waste Report 2022 |
| Total waste recovered | 66% of 75.6 Mt | 2022-23 | DCCEEW, 2024 |
| Best state for metal recovery | South Australia, 95.6% | 2022-23 | DCCEEW, 2024 |
| Metal packaging recovery | 55% | 2023-24 | APCO, Dec 2025 |
| Metal recycled by InfraBuild | About 1.4 Mt a year | FY25 | InfraBuild ESG Report, Nov 2025 |
| Ferrous scrap exported | 1.71 Mt | 2022-23 | IBISWorld |
| Aluminium scrap exported | About 400,000 t (A$1.44 billion) | 2025 | Australian Aluminium Council |
| Energy saved by recycling aluminium | About 95% | 2019 study | International Aluminium Institute |
How Much Metal Does Australia Recycle?
Nearly nine in every ten tonnes of discarded metal gets a second life, according to the National Waste and Resource Recovery Report 2024. The previous edition reported 87% for 2020-21, so metal has stayed at the top across both reports.
Metals vs Every Other Material
No other material comes close. Building materials, organics, glass, and paper and cardboard all trail behind metals, and plastics sit at the bottom with a recovery rate of just 12.5%.
Metal leads because it pays. A bale of plastic film is a cost. A bin of steel offcuts is a cheque.
Job-Site Metal vs Household Metal
Where metal comes from matters as much as what it is. Metal from construction and demolition sites and from commercial and industrial sources is recovered at a much higher rate than metal thrown out with household waste.
Job-site scrap is clean, bulky and sorted. Household metal is scattered across millions of bins and mixed with food and plastic.
Metal Recycling Rates by State: Where Does Victoria Sit?
South Australia has led the country on metal recovery for more than a decade, reaching 95.6% in 2022-23. Close behind, New South Wales and the ACT both cleared the 90% mark.
| State or territory | Metal recovery rate, 2022-23 |
| South Australia | 95.6% |
| New South Wales | 94.0% |
| ACT | 93.6% |
| Queensland | 87.7% |
| Western Australia | 86.4% |
| Victoria | 82.9% |
| Tasmania | 65.3% |
| Northern Territory | 37.2% |
Victoria tells a different story. At about 83%, our state sits below the national average and well behind South Australia. If every state matched South Australia, Australia could have recovered an extra 344,603 tonnes of metal in 2022-23, and Victoria accounts for a sizeable share of that gap.
Victoria’s numbers may not stay stuck for long. CDS Vic only launched in November 2023, after the national figures were locked in, so the first real sign of its impact on cans should land with the next national waste report.
Metal Recycling Statistics in Australia by Metal Type
Steel Recycling Statistics
Australia produces around 5.6 million tonnes of steel a year. Most of it comes from blast furnaces, which use about 20 to 25% scrap. Electric arc furnaces (EAF) can run on up to 100% scrap.
The savings add up fast. The Australian Steel Institute notes that every tonne of steel scrap made into new steel saves over 1,400 kg of iron ore, 740 kg of coal and 120 kg of limestone. Melting it down does not weaken it either, so today’s carport frame could easily come back as tomorrow’s handrail or bracket. Steel never gets tired of being reborn, which is more than most of us can say on a Monday.
Aluminium Recycling in Australia
Aluminium is the energy champion. The International Aluminium Institute found that recycled aluminium needs 8.3 gigajoules of energy per tonne, compared with 186 for new metal. That is a saving of about 95%.
Here is the catch: much of Australia’s aluminium scrap leaves the country. Trade figures from the Australian Aluminium Council show close to 400,000 tonnes shipped to overseas buyers in 2025, a pile of scrap valued at roughly A$1.44 billion.
Why Metal Packaging Lags Behind
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) reports that 55% of metal packaging was recovered in 2023-24. That’s a three-point lift on the previous year, yet it still falls short of the 56% mark set back in 2018-19. It is also the first APCO dataset to cover months when CDS Vic was running.
Cans often end up in mixed household bins, tangled with food scraps and plastic. A fabricator’s offcut bin holds one clean material. Same metal, very different journey.
What Has Changed Since 2022-23? The Latest 2024 to 2026 Figures
The national dataset is a snapshot, and the scrap market has kept moving. Here is what newer reports show.
Big recyclers are still busy. InfraBuild sold 1.97 million tonnes of steel in FY25, most of it made from scrap.
The ferrous market is under pressure. Sims Limited’s FY26 results, released in August 2026, showed proprietary sales volumes across Australia and New Zealand down 3.6%. Sims pointed to softer ferrous markets and flagged ongoing pressure from Chinese steel exports. Even so, it still expects at least one new electric arc furnace in Australia over the medium term.
For a Melbourne business, the takeaway is simple. Steel scrap remains valuable, and the push to keep more of it onshore is gaining momentum.
Where Australia’s Scrap Metal Goes: Exports vs Local Steelmaking
A high recovery rate does not mean the metal stays here. Australia exported 1.71 million tonnes of ferrous scrap in 2022-23, mostly to Asian markets such as Bangladesh, Vietnam and Indonesia.
The Australian Steel Institute estimates that more than one million tonnes of that total leaves as unprocessed scrap, shipped overseas before it is sorted or shredded here. Meanwhile, local mills buy scrap from interstate and overseas to meet demand. Recyclers point out that export markets often pay well, which keeps collection viable.
That balance may shift. In April 2026, Alter Steel moved its planned Pinkenba mill in Queensland closer to a final investment decision. The electric arc furnace would make up to 500,000 tonnes of steel a year from local scrap, with Sims Limited as a supply partner. GM Steel is planning another scrap-fed plant near Toowoomba, with first steel targeted for 2029.
What These Numbers Mean for Your Next Metal Project
A few simple questions at the quoting stage go a long way.
Ask about recycled content. If your building is chasing a Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, materials from a recycled supply chain can help.
Design around standard sheet sizes. Parts that nest neatly on a standard sheet waste less metal. Less waste usually means a lower price, as our guide to metal fabrication cost explains.
Think about end of life. Steel and aluminium both hold scrap value when a structure comes down. That old gate or carport frame is worth something, so keep it clean and separate it from general waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of metal is recycled in Australia?
Australia recovered 89.9% of its metal waste in 2022-23, the highest rate of any material, according to the National Waste and Resource Recovery Report 2024.
Which state recycles the most metal?
South Australia leads with a 95.6% metal recovery rate in 2022-23. New South Wales and the ACT also recover more than 90%, while Victoria sits at about 83%.
Does Australia export its scrap metal?
Yes. Australia exported 1.71 million tonnes of ferrous scrap in 2022-23, mostly to Asia. New local electric arc furnaces are planned to keep more scrap onshore.
Is there newer metal recycling data than 2022-23?
The federal government’s national dataset still covers 2022-23. Newer figures exist for packaging (55% recovery in 2023-24) and from major recyclers like InfraBuild and Sims Limited for FY25 and FY26.
The Bottom Line
The latest metal recycling statistics in Australia tell a success story. Nine in ten tonnes of metal get recovered. The weak spots are household packaging, scrap exports and Victoria’s below-average recovery rate.
Smart design and good sorting help close that gap, one sheet at a time. If you are planning a project and want to keep waste and cost down, talk to the Swift Metal Fabrication team.