Do You Need ID to Sell Scrap Metal in NSW?

Yes. In NSW, every scrap metal dealer must record who sells to them, so you need photo ID every time you sell, whether it is one car battery or a truckload. You do not need a licence to sell your own scrap: the rules are on the buyer’s side.

What ID works

Photo ID that shows who you are, such as an Australian driver licence or a NSW Photo Card. The dealer records your details from it against the sale. If the only ID you have is something else, call us before you come in.

Why the law asks for it

Metal theft is a real problem. Copper cable taken from building sites, plumbing pulled out of empty houses and metal stolen from infrastructure all end up at scrap yards if nobody checks. The Scrap Metal Industry Act 2016 makes dealers keep a record of every seller and every load, and tell police about anything they suspect is stolen.

Do you need a licence to sell scrap metal?

No. A householder, tradie or business selling its own scrap does not need a licence. The buyer is the one regulated: every scrap metal business in NSW must be registered under the Act, and NSW Police keeps a public register of them. A buyer who does not ask for ID, or who offers cash, is not following the law.

What else to bring

• Your bank details, BSB and account number. Dealers are not allowed to pay cash.
• The metal, sorted if you can.
• For an air conditioner or a fridge, the degassing certificate if you have one.