The Australian bourse was floating in morning trade after higher-than-expected sales figures from Wesfarmers and gains in banking shares.

At midday east-coast time, Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX200 index climbed 42.5 points, or 0.95 per cent, at 4500.9 points. Meanwhile the broader All Ordinaries index increased 42.1 points, or 0.94 per cent, to 4517.2 points.

Consumer staples recorded the most gain, adding 1.67 per cent. Industrials, which ascended 1.12 per cent followed. Utilities, down by a slight 0.18 per cent, was the only sector in the red.

On the Sydney Futures Exchange, the September share price index contract hit 4480, an increase 44 points on a volume of 13,069.

Perth-based Wesfarmers had climbed $1.01, or 3.47 per cent, at $30.15 after it registered 4.3 per cent sales growth at its Coles business.

CommSec market analyst Juliette Saly said the record saw a turnaround in Wesfarmers' supermarket division.

''The comparative period for this time last year was when the government had given everyone stimulus cheques, so it is really positive they have done well.''

''They have also trumped their rival Woolworths in annual sales,'' Ms Saly said.

Banks also led the bourse up, with National Australia Bank adding 52 cents to $24.89 and Commonwealth Bank 37 cents higher to $51.61.

Westpac climbed to $23, an increase of 12.39 cents.

ANZ edged up 34 cents to $22.75, while Macquarie Group gained 32 cents at $39.75.