The Australian share market has closed lower, weighed down by falls in BHP Billiton shares and despite an afternoon pick-up.

At the close on Tuesday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 6.4 points, or 0.12 per cent, lower at 5,452.6, while the broader All Ordinaries index was down 7.9 points, or 0.15 per cent, at 5,434.0, according to preliminary figures.

On the ASX 24, the December share price index futures contract was one point higher at 5,438, with 21,026 contracts traded.