Tackling Copper and Scrap Metal Theft in South Australia

Consultation has concluded

We want to hear your views on how to reduce copper and scrap metal theft in South Australia, including regulation to disrupt the disposal of stolen metal.

What's being decided?

The South Australian Government is committed to addressing the issue of copper and other scrap metal theft in South Australia. In line with this, the government is considering potential reform to the state’s laws, aiming to prevent and reduce this type of theft.

Background

The high potential value of scrap metal, along with the ease and speed of its disposal, makes scrap metal theft appear to be a low risk, high-reward enterprise. The continued theft of scrap metal is having significant impact on the South Australian Community. This type of theft causes extensive damage, can cause wide scale interruptions to services and often leads to substantial repair costs.

There is currently no regulation of the scrap metal industry within South Australia or any requirement for scrap metal dealers to be appropriately registered or licensed.

One proposal for reform is to develop a standalone piece of legislation to prevent scrap metal theft and make it more difficult for criminals to sell stolen scrap metal.

This consultation is intended to encourage the community and industry stakeholders to comment on the Government’s proposal for reform and to provide information that will assist the Government to formulate an effective and workable law.

Get involved

We want to hear from the South Australian community, industry, business and individuals and work together to tackle the problem of copper and scrap metal theft.

Find out more:

  • read the Discussion Paper

Have your say by:

  • sharing a comment on the 'guestbook' tool
  • Email a submission to: sapol.licensingenforcementbranch@police.sa.gov.au

What are the next steps?

Your feedback will help inform the Government’s decision to create laws and regulation relating to the scrap metal industry, and ensure any changes are fair and workable for the community and industry.

We want to hear your views on how to reduce copper and scrap metal theft in South Australia, including regulation to disrupt the disposal of stolen metal.

What's being decided?

The South Australian Government is committed to addressing the issue of copper and other scrap metal theft in South Australia. In line with this, the government is considering potential reform to the state’s laws, aiming to prevent and reduce this type of theft.

Background

The high potential value of scrap metal, along with the ease and speed of its disposal, makes scrap metal theft appear to be a low risk, high-reward enterprise. The continued theft of scrap metal is having significant impact on the South Australian Community. This type of theft causes extensive damage, can cause wide scale interruptions to services and often leads to substantial repair costs.

There is currently no regulation of the scrap metal industry within South Australia or any requirement for scrap metal dealers to be appropriately registered or licensed.

One proposal for reform is to develop a standalone piece of legislation to prevent scrap metal theft and make it more difficult for criminals to sell stolen scrap metal.

This consultation is intended to encourage the community and industry stakeholders to comment on the Government’s proposal for reform and to provide information that will assist the Government to formulate an effective and workable law.

Get involved

We want to hear from the South Australian community, industry, business and individuals and work together to tackle the problem of copper and scrap metal theft.

Find out more:

  • read the Discussion Paper

Have your say by:

  • sharing a comment on the 'guestbook' tool
  • Email a submission to: sapol.licensingenforcementbranch@police.sa.gov.au

What are the next steps?

Your feedback will help inform the Government’s decision to create laws and regulation relating to the scrap metal industry, and ensure any changes are fair and workable for the community and industry.

Consultation has concluded

  • Consultation outcome

    The South Australian Government is committed to addressing the issue of copper and other scrap metal theft in South Australia. In line with this, the Government is considering potential reform to the state’s law aiming to prevent and reduce this type of theft.

    The government consulted on proposed ‘standalone’ legislation to prevent scrap metal theft to make it more difficult for criminals to sell stolen scrap metal. The proposed legislation focuses on providing mechanisms for the effective regulation of the scrap metal industry.

    The discussion paper was published on yourSAy for a three-week public and stakeholder engagement process from 4 to 25 March 2025. The page received 975 visits, 17 comments to yourSAy and 10 written submissions.

    Responses were received by community members, scrap metal and building industry members, recyclers and government agencies.

    Overall, respondents were supportive of the proposed reform outlined within the discussion paper and the development of a standalone piece of legislation to prevent scrap metal theft and make it more difficult for criminals to sell stolen scrap metal. The feedback provided though stakeholder correspondence and public consultation has provided insight into the elements required within any proposed scrap metal legislation and corresponding regulations to assist in tackling the theft of scrap metal.

    It is anticipated further consultation will take place to ensure that any proposed legislation is fit for purpose for both scrap metal industry members and enforcement.

    You can read more about the consultation in our Consultation Report.