AAP

Repeated government promises to help households facing financial pressures have failed to lift confidence or tame inflation fears.

Australia's share market had a marginal gain as investors found bond yields increasingly attractive in a rising interest rate environment.

Tuesday night's federal budget is expected to include a cut to the fuel excise as well as assistance for more first home buyers.

The Australian share market has closed at its highest level in more than two months, buoyed by gains in materials, energy and utility stocks amid soaring commodity prices.

Vulnerable and older Australians will soon be able to get a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Australian shares have kept their run higher going, while the prospect of more sanctions on Russia could dictate trading behaviour tomorrow.

A new survey has found employers are facing higher wage demands from candidates seeking employment.

A charmed run for the ASX has continued while one analyst is pondering whether bond investors wary of higher rates are about to end the run.

The National Skills Commission says job advertisements on the internet rose by a further 3.6 per cent in February.

Market heavyweight BHP jumped five per cent and the ASX rose for a fourth day in the past five as it thrives on demand for commodities.

Consumer confidence has dropped to its lowest level since September 2020, undermined by persistent concerns over the inflation outlook.

A bright start for the ASX gave way to minor losses, but investors will hope talk of peace in Ukraine produces another rallying week.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says his government is fully aware of the cost of living pressures Australians are facing and is promising a budget response.

Investors have enjoyed their best week on the Australian share market in more than 12 months, despite a US rate rise and war in Ukraine.

In a major speech two weeks out from the federal budget, Josh Frydenberg says the government will tackle the deficit while helping families with cost pressures.

There was no gloom on the ASX despite the US rate rise decision, and the Australian market closed higher for the third day this week.

The national unemployment rate is now lower than Western Australia's, with a rate of 4 per cent across the country slightly less than 4.1 per cent out west.

Australia's share market gained more than one per cent before an expected rate rise from the US Federal Reserve.

Plans to bring forward tax cuts for middle and high income earners to this year's 2022/23 federal budget could reportedly be shelved.

Motorists might welcome any easing of oil prices but investors watched falling commodity prices ruin any chance of ASX gains.

The federal government has plans for a $4.3 billion dry dock facility in Henderson, Western Australia, according to its latest pre-budget announcement.

Banks and healthcare giant CSL helped the ASX to its best day in six weeks as an expert tipped more investors to buy Australian value shares.

Two members of the federal coalition's junior partner have called for a cut in the fuel excise as petrol prices continue to climb above $2 a litre.

Investors moved the ASX lower after accepting US rates are almost certain to rise next week due to record inflation.

A day after the announcement of Guy Debelle's resignation, Reserve Bank governor says there are strong internal candidates for the deputy governor role.

Investors relieved by easing oil prices have pushed the Australian share market to its best gain in four weeks.

Some of Australia's biggest companies have opted into an emissions reduction reporting scheme that should show whether cuts match their public commitments.

The ASX200 had its strongest gains in three weeks despite an RBA warning that higher oil prices will increase annual inflation to four per cent this year.

RBA governor Philip Lowe has told a business conference inflation could reach four per cent-plus as a result of the Ukraine war and the floods in Australia.

The ASX200 dipped below 7000 points for the first time since the early stages of the Ukraine war, while the US and European allies discuss banning Russian oil imports.

Australians are back on the move and buying homes again following the end of COVID-19 restrictions.

Australian shares' longest winning streak of the year has unravelled after lofty commodity prices, pushed higher by fears over Russian supply, finally eased.