The Australian stockmarket was up more than 1 per cent by Monday noon, after strong economic data from China buoyed resources stocks.

At midday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 50.6 points or 1.11 per cent higher at 4610.9. The broader All Ordinaries had climbed 47.5 points or 1.03 per cent to 4648.2.

On the Sydney Futures Exchange, the September share price index contract added 51 points at 4616 on a volume of 38,123 contracts.

The trading week had started very positively, with the Australain market boosted by strong economic data from China on Saturday, according to CommSec market analyst Juliette Saly.

While consumer inflation in the Asian superpower expanded at the fastest pace in nearly two years in August, its National Bureau of Statistics showed China remained robust that month. This meant its economy was not lagging as fast as many had dreaded.

"We're seeing really good gains, not surprisingly, from the mining stocks on the back of that Chinese data and the Australian dollar has risen to 93 US cents, a five-month high," Ms Saly said.

Among the resource giants, BHP Billiton added 57 cents or 1.5 per cent at $38.53. Its rival Rio Tinto was 99c or 1.33 per cent higher at $75.24.

The crude oil price soared to the highest level in five weeks on Friday in response to supply concerns, sending energy stocks higher.

Santos increased 26c or 2.13 per cent at $12.45. Oil Search had improved 21c or 3.55 per cent to $6.12, while Woodside Petroleum put in 40c to $42.93.

The major banks were all in the black at 12.14pm.

National Australia Bank gained 57c or 2.31 per cent at $25.24. Commonwealth Bank had taken in 83c or 1.58 per cent to $53.50. Westpac improved 45c or 1.96 per cent to $23.39 and ANZ increased 38c or 1.6 per cent to $24.09.