Your Real Mates for Steel & Metal
Your Real Mates for Steel & Metal — Serving Newcastle and the Hunter Region Since 1997.
1997
Trusted for nearly 30 years
6 days
Open Monday — Saturday
13
Steel product categories
Your Real Mates for Steel & Metal
Metal Mates | Steel Supplies Newcastle
Since 1997
Why Local Customers Choose Metal Mates
01
Nearly 30 Years in the Hunter
We've been locally owned and operated in Cessnock since 1997, which means our name means something in our community. Customers know who they're dealing with, not just a call centre interstate.
02
Everything Under One Roof
From steel bars and RHS to fencing, roofing, aluminium, welding supplies and custom sheds, we stock the lot. One trip to Metal Mates usually beats chasing five suppliers around town.
03
Staff Who Actually Know Their Steel
Our team answers the phone, tracks down what you need and never says "can't help you." Customers keep telling us it's the knowledgeable service that brings them back every time.
04
Competitive Pricing, No Fuss
We price to compete with the big warehouses, without the runaround. Customers regularly tell us they found better quality for less here than anywhere else they checked around the region.
05
Cutting and Fabrication On Site
Need steel cut to size or fabricated for the job? We handle it onsite, so you're not waiting on an outside contractor or paying extra to get material job-ready quickly.
06
Reliable Delivery Across the Hunter Region
We deliver across Cessnock, Newcastle, the Central Coast, Maitland and beyond, so your materials turn up on time. No more juggling pickups around a job that's already running to schedule.
The Trade Experts in Steel Supplies across the Hunter since 1997
Metal Mates supplies steel across Newcastle and the Hunter Region, servicing residential, commercial and industrial projects since 1997. We're locally owned and operated, stocking a broad range of steel supplies including structural, aluminium, roofing, mesh, fencing, sheds, carports and landscaping. We offer on-site cutting, fabrication, galvanising and powder coating, trade accounts and mill-certified compliance with Australian Standards. If you need steel supplies in Newcastle sorted properly, that's us.
What We Help With
Whatever the job, chances are we've got you covered. Metal Mates stocks and services the full range of metal supplies across Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, from raw steel through to finished carports and sheds.
- Steel and stainless steel for general-purpose and specialty applications
- Structural steel for load-bearing frames, beams and columns
- Aluminium in sheet, bar and fabrication-ready profiles
- Steel mesh for reinforcement, security and rural applications
- Roofing materials built to handle Hunter Valley conditions
- Fencing across steel fencing, aluminium fencing, chain wire fencing and rural fencing
- Welding services and consumables matched to your steel grade
- Level Master paving and landscaping levelling systems
- Landscape supplies for property and garden projects
- Carports and sheds built to last
- Metal seconds for budget-conscious jobs where a factory second still gets the job done
13 Categories. 1 Yard.
Our Products
Quality steel bars, plates and sheets in a huge range of sizes and grades, cut to order for any job.
Corrosion-resistant stainless steel bars, sheets and fittings for coastal builds, marine projects, food-grade work and anywhere durability really matters most.
Hot rolled structural sections and beams for framing, extensions, renovations and commercial builds that need real, reliable load-bearing strength today.
Lightweight aluminium sheets and tread plate for fabrication, trims and any project where steel is more weight than you need.
Reinforcing mesh and accessories for concrete slabs, footpaths, driveways and paths, built to strengthen and reinforce every pour you make.
Roofing sheets, purlins and accessories for new builds, sheds and repairs, stocked and ready for your very next Hunter Region project.
Steel, aluminium, chain wire and rural fencing and gates for every property, from suburban blocks to working farms and more.
Gas and welding supplies, including Air Liquide cylinders, for fabrication jobs of every size around the workshop, farm or site.
Post-levelling and support systems that make fence and post installs faster, straighter and considerably easier to get right first time.
Garden edging, including SHAPESCAPER, plus other landscaping essentials for tidy garden beds and genuinely professional-looking outdoor spaces around your home.
Custom-built carports sourced from major Australian brands, suited to residential, rural, commercial and industrial properties right across the Hunter Region.
Custom-built sheds sourced from major Australian brands, built to suit storage, workshop or farm needs of literally any size going.
Reusable second-grade steel sold in full lengths at a fraction of new steel price, while our limited stock lasts.
Our Services
Stock is only half the job. We cut, deliver, fabricate and finish it too.
01
Steel Cutting
Onsite cutting for RHS, SHS, angle and flat bar steel, cut precisely to size so there's less waste left onsite.
02
Steel Delivery
Reliable, prompt delivery across Newcastle and the Hunter Region, so your steel turns up exactly on time, every single time.
03
Steel Fabrication
Custom steel fabrication for commercial, industrial and residential projects, built to your very exact specifications by our experienced local team.
04
Galvanising
Zinc-coated galvanising services that add lasting durability and rust resistance to steel, built to perform reliably outdoors for many years.
05
Powder Coating
Durable, weather-resistant powder coating in a wide range of finishes, giving your steel and metal products a genuinely lasting finish.
Understanding Steel Supply in Newcastle
Newcastle earned its nickname Australia's Steel City the hard way, and that history still shapes where you get your steel supplies in Newcastle today. Did you know that the old BHP Newcastle Steelworks ran from 1915 through to 1999 and employed up to 11,000 people at its peak in the 1980s? That's the kind of industrial backbone plenty of local family businesses, ours included, grew up around. When large-scale steelmaking moved on, an established network of steel suppliers and distributors kept the region supplied, just like Metal Mates.
For customers, that history translates into a genuinely broad spread of product on the shelf. Structural steel including beams, channels, angles and columns for building frameworks. Tubular steel comes as square and rectangular hollow sections and circular pipe. Plate and sheet metal ranges from hot-rolled and cold-rolled sheet through to tread plate, and bar and rod products cover mild steel flat bar and round bar.
At Metal Mates, we carry stock across all of these categories. We run deliveries out to industrial precincts around Mayfield, Tomago and Beresfield as well as residential and rural properties further out towards Maitland and our own patch in Cessnock, so wherever your site sits in the Hunter Region, we build our stock levels around actually getting materials to you on time.
Quality and compliance sit underneath all of this. Structural steel is governed by a set of standards worth knowing:
- AS 4100:2020, referenced in the National Construction Code for steel structures
- AS/NZS 5131:2016, covering fabrication and erection requirements
- AS/NZS 3679.1 for hot-rolled bars and sections, and AS/NZS 3678 for plate
- AS/NZS 1163 for hollow sections and AS/NZS 1554 for welding
At Metal Mates, we source all our steel from reputable mills and back it with quality checks and certification documentation, including mill certificates.
Essential Steel Products for Newcastle Projects
Newcastle projects draw on three broad categories of steel: structural sections for load-bearing work, fabrication materials for workshop use, and specialty products for reinforcement and rural infrastructure. Knowing which category your project sits in makes it much easier to have a straightforward chat with your supplier about what you actually need. For structural applications, Metal Mates stocks the sections that carry real load:
- Universal Beams and Universal Columns for primary load-bearing frames in commercial and residential builds
- Parallel Flange Channels and equal or unequal angles for secondary members, lintels and bracing
- Hollow sections including RHS, SHS and CHS for framework, handrails and architectural features
- Purlins and top hats in cold-formed steel, meeting AS/NZS 4600 for roof and wall systems
- C350 and C450 grade hollow sections to AS/NZS 1163, the local standard for structural tube
Fabrication and workshop jobs need a different mix of materials. We cut plate from 3mm general-purpose stock through to 50mm and heavier for industrial work, with sizing anywhere from 2mm to 150mm thick so you're not paying for more than the job needs.
Checker plate covers flooring and industrial surfaces where slip resistance matters, while flat bar and round bar handle brackets, frames, gates and structural connections. Merchant bar, including square and hex bar, suits machining and tooling work, and sheet steel in mild, galvanised and stainless grades covers roofing, walling and general fabrication.
Specialty applications round out the range. Reinforcing mesh and rebar, manufactured to AS/NZS 4671, go into slabs, foundations, retaining walls and civil works. For rural and residential fencing, we supply gates, cattle panels, star posts, barbed wire and mesh products across the Hunter Valley, with galvanised finishes for everyday corrosion resistance and stainless steel where long-term durability in harsh conditions justifies the extra cost.
Steel also turns up in plenty of residential projects beyond heavy construction, from garden gates through to backyard sheds.
Our Services and Capabilities
Metal Mates does more than supply steel, we cut, fabricate and finish it too, so you get components ready to install rather than raw stock to work around.
When standard lengths won't suit your design, or you're trying to cut waste on expensive plate, our onsite cutting handles RHS, SHS, angles, flat bar and other sections, with sheet cutting arranged through trusted partners for bigger or more complex jobs. Our custom fabrication turns that material into gates, platforms, handrails and structural frames built to fit your project exactly, not the nearest off-the-shelf size. We keep urgent jobs, including emergency fencing repairs after a storm, moving quickly rather than stuck behind a queue of commercial orders.
If you're wondering whether to galvanise or powder coat, it comes down to application, environment and budget:
- Galvanising is a hot-dip zinc coating to AS/NZS 4680, suited to structural steel, outdoor frameworks and rural fencing
- It's a cost-effective option for bulk structural work exposed to moisture
- Powder coating is electrostatically applied and oven-cured, better suited to gates, fences and decorative elements
- It delivers a UV-stable, colour-matched finish that resists fading and chipping over time
For anything facing a harsh environment, a duplex system, galvanising followed by powder coating, gives you the best of both.
Reliable Steel Supplies in Newcastle
When you're after steel supplies in Newcastle, Metal Mates is the name locals already know, and we back that up with steel that performs on site. We supply steel for residential, commercial and industrial jobs right across the Hunter Region, and because we work with local builders, fabricators and industrial operators day in and day out, we've got a genuine handle on what Newcastle conditions demand.
Whether it's a home renovation, a commercial fit-out or heavy-duty manufacturing, our crew turns up with practical advice and a realistic turnaround, not a sales pitch. We carry a huge range of steel types and profiles, so you'll find the right product for your project, whatever the scale.
Residential Steel Supplies in Newcastle
Homeowners and tradespeople across Newcastle come to Metal Mates for residential steel that adds durability without blowing the budget. Popular residential applications we supply for include:
- Custom steel gates and fences
- Structural beams for renovations or extensions
- Staircases and balustrades
- Outdoor pergolas and carports
- Decorative steel features for modern home designs
We cut steel to size for residential jobs, which cuts down on waste and makes installation straightforward for whoever's putting it in, so your project comes in on time and on budget.
Commercial Steel Supplies in Newcastle
Commercial builds and fit-outs need materials that hold up on both looks and structure, and that's exactly what we supply to businesses, builders and contractors across Newcastle. Common commercial uses include:
- Shopfront and office framework
- Mezzanine floors and partitions
- Security fencing and grilles
- Storage systems and shelving
- Steel staircases and walkways
We understand commercial timelines and budgets, so we back every order with prompt service, proper quality checks and pricing that keeps your project moving without delays.
Industrial Steel Supplies in Newcastle
Industrial projects need steel that's strong, precise and compliant with safety standards, and that's where Metal Mates does its best work for Newcastle industry. Our steel supplies industries including:
- Mining and resources
- Manufacturing and fabrication
- Heavy engineering
- Transport and logistics
- Infrastructure and civil works
We stock steel for heavy-duty applications including stainless steel, structural steel, plate, beams, channels and custom-cut profiles, and our crew checks every order against Australian Standards and backs it with technical support for the trickier industrial jobs. If you need stainless steel or another industrial grade, give the team a call. We'll talk through the job and help you get the right steel supplies in Newcastle sorted properly the first time.
Second Grade Steel
If you're after second grade steel in Newcastle, we keep a rotating stock of it alongside our full range of new steel. It's a genuinely useful option if your job doesn't need brand new stock, and it's a more sustainable way to get steel that's still got plenty of use left in it. A few things worth knowing before you head in:
- Stock varies day to day, but our warehouse usually holds a broad selection across common sizes and profiles
- Everything's sold in full lengths, in the same condition it was supplied to us, so what you see is what you get
- Second grade steel suits a wide range of jobs, but we'd recommend swinging by the warehouse yourself to check it's right for what you've got planned
Give the team a call before you make the trip if you're after something specific, and we'll let you know what's currently on the floor.
Steel Cutting
Powder Coating
Durable, weather-resistant powder coating in a wide range of finishes, giving your steel and metal products a genuinely lasting finish.
05
Selecting Your Newcastle Steel Supplier
Selecting Your Newcastle Steel Supplier
Choosing the right supplier affects your timeline, your budget and the quality of the finished build.
01
Check product range and stock levels, so structural sections, hollow sections, plate, sheet, mesh and accessories are all available without splitting your order across several suppliers
02
Ask about cutting and processing capability, including plasma cutting, shearing, drilling, punching and folding, so materials arrive ready to install
03
Confirm delivery coverage across Newcastle and the Hunter Region, including realistic turnaround for urgent site orders versus standard delivery
04
Request mill certificates and compliance documentation upfront, particularly for anything going into a structural application
05
Ask whether a trade account or volume pricing is available if you're likely to be ordering again
At Metal Mates, we've built our business around ticking every one of those boxes. We've supplied steel supplies in Newcastle since 1997, we carry a solid range that spans structural steel through to building products and rural fencing, we offer on-site cutting and galvanising arrangements, and our crew gives it to you straight rather than a hard sell. Come in and chat with the team, we're always happy to help match materials to the job, whether that's one length of flat bar or a full structural order for a commercial project.
Quality Standards and Certifications
Every steel product Metal Mates supplies to Rutherford customers meets the relevant Australian Standard, with mill certificates and batch traceability on request for builders, engineers and certifiers who need documented proof. Come in and chat with the team if you need help matching a grade to your specification, we'd rather get it right than have you guessing on site.
AS/NZS 3679.1:2016
for hot-rolled beams, columns, channels, angles and bar, Grade 300 yielding around 300 to 320 MPa, Grade 350 around 340 to 360 MPa
AS/NZS 1163:2016
for cold-formed hollow sections, including C250, C350 and the impact-tested C350L0 grade
AS/NZS 3678
for steel plate
AS/NZS 4671
for reinforcing mesh used in concrete slabs and footpaths
Trade Accounts and Bulk Orders for Newcastle Builders
If you're ordering steel more than once, it's worth setting up properly rather than starting from scratch every time. We work with builders, fabricators and contractors across Newcastle and the Hunter Region on an ongoing basis, and that usually means a trade account, volume pricing on larger orders, and a standing understanding of the sites you're working across so we're not asking the same questions every time you call.
A trade account with Metal Mates typically means:
- One point of contact who already knows your usual order and delivery pattern
- Buy-by-the-metre and volume pricing on structural sections, plate and bar for bigger jobs
- Priority handling on repeat orders, so a regular customer doesn't queue behind a first-time enquiry
- Consolidated invoicing across multiple site deliveries, which makes bookkeeping easier at your end
- A crew who already know your cutting specs, so repeat orders go through faster
If you're running several sites at once, this is the difference between chasing a supplier every week and having steel supplies in Newcastle just turn up when you need them. Ask the team about setting up a trade account next time you're in, or when you call to place your next order.
Why Choose Metal Mates
Metal Mates has been locally owned and operated since 1997, which means nearly 30 years of supplying steel across Newcastle and the Hunter Valley without changing hands or losing local knowledge. Every structural order comes with mill certificates confirming compliance with Australian Standards, so you're never guessing on quality.
We offer trade accounts with volume pricing for builders and fabricators ordering regularly, on-site cutting and galvanising to save you handling raw stock, and a crew who'll give you a straight answer on delivery rather than a vague estimate. If you're weighing up steel suppliers in Newcastle, that combination of longevity, compliance and straightforward service is what we'd want from a supplier ourselves.
Serving Newcastle and the Hunter Region
We deliver right across Newcastle and throughout the Hunter Region, including the industrial precincts around Mayfield, Tomago and Beresfield, and further out along the New England Highway corridor through Maitland to our own patch in Cessnock. Wherever your site sits, from a Newcastle CBD commercial fit-out to a rural property out past Cessnock, we plan our stock and delivery runs around actually getting materials to you rather than leaving you chasing a truck.
Need steel cut to size or fabricated for the job? We handle it onsite, so you're not waiting on an outside contractor or paying extra to get material job-ready quickly.
Cutting and Fabrication On Site
05
General Steel Supplies, Cessnock
Reviews Summary
A Trusted Local Reputation
We've been supplying steel and metal products across Newcastle and the Hunter Region since 1997, and hearing back from our customers means a lot to us. Time and again, the same themes come through: our staff are friendly, knowledgeable and always happy to help, whether you're a builder after structural steel or a first time DIYer who's never bought a length of angle before.
Customers consistently praise our competitive pricing, our huge range of steel products (including our popular second grade selection), and how easy the process is, from that first phone call through to delivery. People love that we never say "we can't help you", offering the same expert advice to trade professionals and everyday homeowners alike. From honouring an old credit note without fuss to going the extra mile on tricky orders, our reputation has been built on quality steel, fair prices and treating every customer like a mate.
Our Reputation Standards
Being a trusted steel supplier in Newcastle isn't something we take lightly, and we hold ourselves to a clear set of standards on every single order that leaves our Cessnock yard.
01
Punctuality and delivery windows.
When we quote you a delivery day or a pickup time for your steel order, we do everything in our power to stick to it. Our own fleet and trusted transport partners service the Hunter Region, Newcastle, the Central Coast and beyond, and we keep you in the loop if anything changes so you're never left waiting around on site.
02
A tidy, well organised yard.
Our warehouse and loading areas are kept clean, organised and safe, so whether you're picking up a single length of RHS or a full trailer load, you can get in, get sorted and get back to the job without any dramas.
03
Clear communication from start to finish.
We confirm your order, pricing and any cutting or delivery requirements up front, so there are no surprises when your steel arrives. If something changes on our end, whether it's stock, timing or pricing, we'll always give you a call rather than leave you guessing.
04
Quality checks on every product.
We source our steel and metal products from reputable mills and suppliers, and everything we stock is checked against relevant Australian Standards before it goes out the door, so you can trust what you're building with.
05
Our workmanship and quality guarantee.
We stand behind every product we sell. If there's ever an issue with an order, whether it's a mix up, a fault or an old credit that's been overlooked, we'll sort it out properly and without any fuss, because that's what being a Metal Mate is all about.
What Locals Say About Us
"Staff was friendly and helpful, highly recommend."
Trent Caines
General Steel Supplies,
Cessnock
"Good products, service and prices. Will buy from again."
Andrew Stewart
General Steel Supplies,
Hunter Region
"Fantastic. Helpful, efficient, friendly, knowledgeable. No fuss whatsoever."
Steven Taylor
After Sales Support,
Cessnock
"Good products, service and prices!"
Michael
General Steel Supplies,
Cessnock
"Top service and the most competitive prices I could find! The whole interaction from phone call, purchase and delivery was super easy and efficient."
Sheena Applebee
Delivery Service,
Hunter Region
"This business is your one stop shop!! Friendly, professional, competitive, knowledgeable and overall great to deal with. Have a customer first attitude and will help you with anything metal."
Andrew Wilson
Trade & DIY Advice,
Cessnock
"Pleasantly surprised by the same friendly faces and great service, with a much larger selection and a great selection of seconds."
Donna and Jeff Irwin
Second Grade Steel,
Cessnock
"Excellent service. Big range of seconds. Good prices. Yard blokes are very happy to assist."
Lou and Brenda
Second Grade Steel,
Cessnock
"Good prices and friendly staff."
Michael Collaros
General Steel Supplies,
Cessnock
"Metal Mates are so great to work with. Excellent customer service and quality products!"
Cessnock Glass
Trade Supply,
Hunter Region
Steel Cutting
Powder Coating
Durable, weather-resistant powder coating in a wide range of finishes, giving your steel and metal products a genuinely lasting finish.
05
Selecting Your Newcastle Steel Supplier
Next Steps
Metal Mates gives builders, fabricators and homeowners genuine access to quality steel through suppliers with decades of local experience. Our range, from structural beams and plate through to rural fencing and gates, means most Newcastle projects can be sourced through a single, reliable supplier rather than juggling several accounts. Our crew backs that range with nearly 30 years of knowledge, straight answers, and a trade account set up properly if you're ordering more than once.
If you're ready to move forward with steel supplies in Newcastle, here's where to start:
01
Contact us to discuss your project, ask about a trade account if you're ordering regularly, and request a quote.
02
Visit our yard to inspect stock firsthand and talk through custom cutting, folding or processing options with our crew
03
Set up an ongoing supply relationship for future projects, which typically means better pricing, priority stock access and faster turnaround
FAQs about Steel Supplies in Newcastle
What's the difference between mild steel and stainless steel, and which one do I need?
Mild steel is affordable and easy to work with, making it ideal for structural framing, fencing and general fabrication, while stainless steel resists rust and corrosion better, which suits coastal conditions around Newcastle. If you're not sure which grade suits your job, our team at Metal Mates can help you choose the right metal supplies for the task.
What steel products does Metal Mates stock for builders and DIYers in Newcastle?
We stock a wide range of metal supplies including structural steel, RHS and SHS, steel plates and sheets, reinforcing mesh, aluminium and fencing steel, suited to residential, commercial and rural projects across Newcastle and the Hunter Region. Whether you're after a single length or a full project's worth of materials, we can help sort your steel supplies.
Can I buy second grade steel in Newcastle to save money?
Yes, second grade steel is a genuine, more budget friendly option for plenty of projects, sold in full lengths in the condition it was supplied. Availability varies, so it's worth calling ahead or visiting the Metal Mates yard in Cessnock to see what's currently in stock.
Does buying steel in bulk get me a better price in Newcastle?
Generally yes, bulk orders often attract better per unit pricing, particularly for builders and tradies with ongoing metal supplies needs. Chat with the team at Metal Mates about your project size and they'll talk you through the best pricing option for your order.
Can Metal Mates cut steel to size before delivery?
Yes, onsite cutting is available for RHS, SHS, angle and flat bar, and more specialised cuts like laser, waterjet, plasma or oxy cutting can be arranged through trusted partners. This saves time on site and cuts down on waste for your Newcastle project.
Are Metal Mates' steel products compliant with Australian Standards?
Yes, all steel supplied by Metal Mates is sourced from reputable mills and complies with relevant Australian Standards for quality, safety and performance. This matters for anything structural, from a simple carport through to a full home build.
How do I know Metal Mates is a reliable metal supplier in Newcastle?
Metal Mates has been supplying steel and metal products to the Newcastle and Hunter Region community since 1997, backed by a strong track record of customer feedback praising friendly service and quality products. Being a locally owned business also means you can visit the yard in Cessnock, call directly, or ask questions before you buy.
Can I get steel supplies in Newcastle the same day?
Most stock items, including common structural sections, sheet, bar and fencing materials, can be delivered the same day. For genuinely urgent jobs, tell the team up front rather than assuming, and we'll give you a straight answer on whether same-day or next-day turnaround is realistic, based on what's actually on the shelf that day.
Do you offer trade accounts for builders and fabricators?
Yes, we set up trade accounts for builders, fabricators and contractors ordering regularly across Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. This typically includes volume pricing on larger orders, one point of contact who already knows your usual order pattern, and consolidated invoicing across multiple site deliveries.
Do you provide mill certificates for structural steel?
Yes, we provide mill certificates and compliance documentation on request for anything going into a structural application. These cover mechanical properties, chemical composition and grade conformance, and matter even more for imported steel, where welding compatibility needs extra scrutiny before it's used structurally.
What types of steel and metal products do you supply in Newcastle?
Metal Mates stocks a wide range of steel and metal products suitable for residential, commercial, rural, and industrial projects. This includes steel bars, plates, sheets, structural sections (beams, channels, angles), fencing materials, reinforcing mesh and accessories, as well as aluminium sheets and tread plates for lighter applications. If you need something specific, the team can also order it for you.
Do you supply products for residential and commercial projects?
Yes, we supply materials for all project types. For home builds and renovations, customers can find steel for gates, sheds, pergolas, fencing, and structural supports. For commercial jobs, you'll find materials ideal for shopfront frameworks, structural builders, mezzanines, walkways and shelving systems.
Is all steel rust resistant?
Any prolonged exposure with moisture and oxygen can lead to rust. The best way to prevent rust is to use stainless steel, as it contains high amounts of nickel and chromium, which makes it very corrosion resistant. Using galvanised steel can also protect the underlying metal from rust.
Are your steel products compliant with Australian Standards?
Absolutely. All steel we supply complies with relevant Australian standards for quality, safety, and performance. We source our products from reputable mills and conduct strict quality checks to ensure they meet industry requirements for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
