The Australian stock market is set for a flat start after an unexpected rise in jobless claims and weak retail sales data in the US resulted in a moderately lower Wall Street.

On the Sydney Futures Exchange this morning, the September share price index contract rose 3 points at 4540 points. Led by the mining sector, the major indices climbed about half a percentage point yesterday.

In economics news today, the Reserve Bank of Australia is scheduled to issue its quarterly statement on monetary policy.

The Australian Industry Group and Housing Industry Association deliver their joint performance of construction index for July.

The Australian Office of Financial Management offers on auction $700 million Treasury bonds of the June 2016 line.

In companies news, Programmed Maintenance Services is set to have its annual general meeting today.

RNY Property Trust declares first half results, while Indochine Mining lists on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Atlas Iron managing director David Flanagan will speak before a Melbourne Mining Club luncheon.

Yesterday, the Australian bourse was propelled by higher mining stocks.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index climbed 24.4 points or 0.54 per cent to reach 4566.5 points. Meanwhile the broader All Ordinaries index gained 25.2 points or 0.55 per cent to 4584.9 points.