The S&P/ASX 200 index closed 0.5 points higher at 4605.5, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 2.5 points at 4666.1.

The latest Australian unemployment data was released at 11.30am (AEST), revealing the official rate stayed at 4.9% in June for the second month in a row after falling to 4.8% in April.

Figures released also show full-time employment defied market estimates and rose by 59,000 last month, while part-time employment fell by 35,600.

ICAP senior economist Adam Carr told the Australian Associated Press, the local currency had surged on news of the robust job numbers.

"It's a pretty decent spike, obviously, after the employment numbers and for good reason, the jobs growth was pretty much all full-time," Carr said.

"What that demonstrates is that after a disaster induced lull we're seeing the pick-up in jobs growth.

"[There's] a lot of talk out there about a slowing economy, but looks like it was temporary, all due to disasters."

The Australian dollar was trading at $1.0739 at 3.30pm (AEST), up from $1.0697 recorded moments before the data was released today.

Meanwhile, spot gold was up for the third consecutive day at $US1533.31 per ounce at 3.30pm (AEST), on the back of China raising interest rates to tame inflation.

Gold stocks performed well during today’s trade, with Medusa Mining the best performing stock on the Final Call watchlist, adding A35c at $6.98.

Local gold producer Newcrest Mining closed 37c higher on $38.52, while AngloGold Ashanti was up $1.39 at $7.89 and Kingsgate Consolidated gained 8c to $8.32.

In news, mining giant BHP Billiton has put on hold its Pilbara port and rail operations after an employee was crushed to death by a loaded crane at its iron ore loading facility at Finucane Island in Port Hedland.

Shares in the company shed 3c to $44.42.

Fellow iron ore miners Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group also lost ground today, Rio dropped 5c to $83.55, while FMG was 5c lower at $6.38.

Finally, base metals on the London Metal Exchange regained ground during today’s trade in Singapore.

Copper for three-month delivery gained 0.6% to $US9578 per tonne, zinc added 0.8% to $2399/t and nickel was up by 0.51% to $23,500/t in afternoon trade.