The invention discloses a method for extracting valuable metals and refining zinc sulphate monohydrate from zinc-containing waste material. The method comprises the steps of refining the zinc sulphate monohydrate and extracting cadmium, lead, indium and other valuable metals, wherein the technology for refining the zinc sulphate monohydrate comprises the steps of: acidification, oxidization, zinc replacement, concentration, drying, packaging and the like; the technology for extracting cadmium comprises the steps of: acidification, oxidization, replacement, cadmium residue rinsing and the like; the technology for extracting lead comprises the steps of: acidification, oxidization, primary rinsing, secondary rinsing and the like; the technology for extracting indium comprises the steps of: acidification, oxidization, primary rinsing, secondary rinsing, extraction, back extraction, indium replacement, electrolysis and the like; and the extracted raffinate can be added into the next circulation to be recycled. Thus the zinc sulphate monohydrate and the valuable metals such as cadmium, lead and indium can be obtained, the process is simplified, the production cost is reduced, and the method is convenient for operation, simple in technology and high in recovery rate. The method has the advantages of low cost and energy consumption, etc.