Jamie Rochester, Senior Marketing Executive, Queensland Law Society
Copper theft has become a growing problem across Queensland, driven not by the value of the items taken, but by the resale value of the metal itself. In response, the Queensland Government has introduced tougher laws designed to disrupt how stolen metal is taken, sold and reused.
If you’ve ever wondered whether taking copper from hard rubbish is allowed, or why penalties have recently increased, here’s what the changes mean in practice.
Why are the laws changing?
Copper and other valuable metals are often taken from infrastructure, appliances and building materials because they can be quickly resold as scrap. While the metal itself may seem low‑value or discarded, the impacts of removing it can be serious.
Metal theft has led to:
- disruption of electricity, telecommunications and transport services;
- safety risks from exposed or live wiring; and
- costly repairs to public infrastructure paid for by communities and taxpayers.
These consequences affect entire communities, and in response, the Queensland Government has moved to strengthen the law to better deter metal theft and disrupt the scrap‑metal trade that fuels it.
What has changed under the new laws?
New legislation passed by Queensland Parliament significantly increases penalties and expands the types of conduct covered by copper and metal theft offences.
Higher penalties for stealing metal
Stealing a “valuable metal item or component” can now carry penalties of up to:
- 10 years’ imprisonment;
- 14 years if the theft disrupts a public facility or service; or
- 25 years if the theft endangers someone’s health or life.
Stronger penalties also apply if the theft happens during or around a natural disaster, when communities are most vulnerable.
New offences introduced
The law now also makes it an offence to:
- attempt to steal valuable metal, and
- possess certain types of metal where it is reasonably suspected to be stolen, such as cabling or wiring.
This means you can face criminal charges even if the theft wasn’t completed, or if you’re found with metal you should reasonably suspect is stolen.
What counts as a “valuable metal item”?
The definition is broad and goes well beyond loose copper wire. It includes metal used in:
- power, water, sewerage and fuel supply;
- telecommunications networks;
- roads, railways and public transport infrastructure;
- safety systems and traffic management; and
- construction sites and unoccupied premises.
Common examples include:
- copper wiring or cabling;
- electrical equipment;
- pipes, poles and metal tubing;
- guttering, flashing and roofing materials; and
- catalytic converters and similar components.
Is taking copper from hard rubbish stealing?
This is where many people get caught out. Even if an item has been placed on the curb for collection, it does not automatically become free for anyone to take and it depends on local council rules. If the metal still belongs to someone and hasn’t been explicitly given away or authorised for removal, taking it may still amount to theft.
For example:
- removing copper wiring from a microwave on the curb may be unlawful;
- helping yourself to metal from council collection piles can still be theft; and
- stripping parts from infrastructure, even if damaged or unattended, is illegal.
When in doubt, it’s safest to assume the item is not free to take.
Why scrap‑metal rules matter
The changes also strengthen regulation of scrap‑metal transactions, recognising that theft is often driven by how easily stolen metal can be resold.
Under the reforms:
- scrap‑metal transactions must be recorded;
- stricter identification requirements apply to sellers; and
- anonymous and cash‑based sales are restricted.
The aim is to make it harder for stolen metal to enter legitimate resale markets and to discourage opportunistic theft.
How could this affect you?
You don’t have to be climbing power poles to be caught by these laws.
You could face serious consequences if you:
- take metal without permission;
- possess cabling or wiring you should reasonably suspect is stolen;
- remove metal from public or shared spaces; or
- try to profit from scrap metal without meeting legal requirements.
The focus of the law is public safety and disruption of essential services, not whether the item taken seems small or discarded.
What should you do if you’re unsure?
If you’re not sure whether something can legally be taken or sold:
- don’t assume it’s allowed because it looks abandoned;
- avoid removing metal from public or shared spaces; and
- seek advice before selling scrap metal.
