The Australian share market has closed higher, posting a second straight day of gains on the back of positive building data.

At the close on Thursday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 35.1 points, or 0.64 per cent, higher at 5,490.5, while the broader All Ordinaries index was up 36.3 points, or 0.67 per cent, at 5,478.0.

On the ASX 24, the September share price index futures contract was 41 points higher at 5,453, with 19,970 contracts traded.