Hefty falls across the health care and financial sectors pushed the share market lower for a third day as investors await a crucial US jobs report.

Weakness in the mining and energy sectors have pulled the share market lower.

The share market has closed lower as investors await US jobs data on Friday that will help determine the timing of a lift in US interest rates.

Gains in health care, resource and banking stocks helped the Australian share market finish slightly higher, despite falls in Woolworths and Telstra.

The share market has dropped as investors wait for clues about US interest rates from a speech by the head of the US Federal Reserve.

Australian shares have closed lower, led by falls in resource stocks on a busy day of mixed company results.