Australian shares kicked off the new financial year on a downbeat note, with banks leading the decline following disappointing housing price data. While miners, particularly South32 on a significant asset sale, offered some support, the broader market felt the pinch of economic uncertainty. Investors are showing caution as the new quarter begins, reflecting concerns over interest rates and inflation risks.

The Australian sharemarket has made a steady start to the last session of the financial year with banks driving higher but mining stocks weighed on the index.

The local sharemarket has ended the financial year with a whimper, ending on the lows of the day amid sharp losses for goldminers.