The S&P/ASX 200 index settled 0.1 per cent higher at 7,023.6.
Gold stocks emerged as the winners of the session with a 4.3 per cent climb, with bullion prices scaling their highest level in more than three months as worries over surging Covid-19 cases in some Asian countries boosted its demand.
Sector-heavyweight Newcrest Mining gained 2.9 per cent to A$28.4, its highest level in nearly a month
Australian energy stocks jumped 1 per cent to deliver their third session of gains, despite a dip in global oil prices.
Shares of Ampol Ltd and Viva Energy surged and led gains on the sub-index, after the government decided to pay its last two oil refineries up to $1.8 billion to stay open.
Financial stocks fell 0.4 per cent, but Commonwealth Bank of Australia hit a record high after rising nearly 2 per cent above A$98.
Australia’s tech stocks ended 1.2 per cent higher. Xero led gains in the index, rising 6 per cent, followed by Codan that gained 2.2 per cent.
Miners were up 0.9 per cent with a 1.4 per cent gain in Fortescue Metals.
New Zealand’s benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index snapped an eight-day losing streak to end 0.3 per cent higher at 12,410.47.
