The invention provides a method for recycling copper and nickel in electroplating sludge. A separation method comprises the steps of 1, separation of copper, wherein a sodium carbonate solution is adopted for adjusting the pH of leachate called mother liquor to 5-5.5, and filtered sediments are mainly basic cupric carbonate and copper hydroxide; 2, separation of iron and nickel, wherein a sodium carbonate solution is utilized for adjusting the pH of the mother liquor to 8-9, sediments are nickel carbonate, ferric hydroxide and ferrous hydroxide, sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide are added tofully dissolve the sediments, afterwards, the pH is adjusted to 5 through alkaline liquor, and a sediment, namely ferric hydroxide, is filtered out; 3, purification and separation of a nickel product, wherein the filtered mother liquor is taken, the pH is adjusted by sulfuric acid to 2, hydrogen sulfide is introduced, copper in mixed liquor is turned into copper sulphide and separated out, at this moment, the mother liquor is nickel sulfate mother liquor, and nickel sulfate heptahydrate can be produced through a concentration and crystallization method. The method has the advantages that theinvestment is small, the technology is mature, the adaptability is high, and the automated degree is high.