AAP

he Australian share market has opened higher after the US Federal Reserve surprised investors by deciding to continue with its $US85 billion-a-month stimulus scheme.

Brickworks has nearly doubled full year profit on the back of stronger earnings out of its building products group and property development business.

The Australian dollar has soared more than one-and-a-half US cents after the US Federal Reserve unexpectedly decided to leave its economic stimulus program in place.

Australian shares are weaker as cautious investors wait for direction from the US Federal Reserve on its stimulus program for the world's biggest economy.

Australia's online retailers are more likely than traditional store owners to hire staff in the next year.

Tony Abbott sacked three department heads within minutes of being sworn in as prime minister but one of the nation's most influential public servants, Martin Parkinson, defied speculation and retai

Western Australia's prized AAA credit rating was cut today, with ratings agency Standard & Poor's criticising the Barnett government's "limited political will" to improve its budget.

Africa-focused Perseus Mining says its cost-cutting measures are creating results, with the gold miner encouraged by its start to the new financial year, which has it on target to achieve its gold

More than 50 schools are set to shut across Western Australia on Thursday as teachers go on strike to protest the state government's treatment of education funding.

Australia's economic growth is still tracking below trend, but momentum is expected to pick up soon.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has lost her bid to prevent her bitter family trust fund battle being played out in a Sydney court.

The Australian Greens say the coalition government's plan to shut down the Clean Energy Finance Corporation will wreck job opportunities in the renewable energy sector.

The Australian stock market is flat as traders wait for the US Federal Reserve to announce its stimulus tapering plans.

Australia's most expensive and longest-running court case, involving Alan Bond's Bell Group, has ended in a settlement for an undisclosed sum.

The Australian dollar is lower after the central bank said it hasn't ruled out more interest rate cuts.

Retailers have urged the new Abbott government to hit the ground running to help boost confidence heading into the Christmas shopping season.

The share market has closed a touch higher as strength in the banking sector outweighed weakness among resources stocks.

Iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group will start reducing its $12 billion in debt from November.

Low-cost gold producer Regis Resources has more than doubled its full year profit due to a boost in gold sales and a higher realised price.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has signalled that another interest rate cut is possible, although it is not keen to make the move soon.

Construction firm John Holland has won a $257 million contract for work on a rail project linking to Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill project.

Major party MPs have defended the Australian Electoral Commission amid sustained attacks by businessman and political hopeful Clive Palmer.

Plans to charge $4,000 per year for the children of 457 visa holders attending Western Australian public schools have been watered down after a backlash over the budget-boosting measure.

The Australian stock market has started lower as traders sit on the sidelines following recent gains and ahead of this week's meeting of the Federal Reserve.

Australia faces a long road to economic recovery, even if business gains a short-term boost in confidence from the election of a majority coalition government.

US stocks have mostly gained, helped by news that Larry Summers, perceived as in favour of tighter monetary policy, pulled out of the race to lead the Federal Reserve.

Gold futures have risen, bouncing off a five-week low as a shift in the race to replace Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke bolstered expectations for the duration of the central bank's bond-buying

The Australian dollar continues to be buoyed by greenback weakness amid easing tensions in Syria and a hawkish candidate's withdrawal from the race to become the US central bank chairman.

The Australian dollar hit a three-month high as the man US President Barack Obama nominated to lead the US Federal Reserve withdrew from the race.

Australian shares have continued their run of gains that began on September 6, the day before the federal election.

A disgraced Perth lawyer who overcharged clients and is now fighting to save his career has been scolded by the chief justice for not explaining why there has been a delay in delivering reparations

Teachers will walk off the job on Thursday to protest against proposed job losses and funding cuts to dozens of public schools.