The rise in US stocks on Friday also set a positive mood.
At 10.11am (AEDT), the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 42.5 points, or 1.2 per cent, at 3,593.4, and the broader All Ordinaries index had gained 39.7 points, or 1.14 per cent, to 3,534.6.
On the Sydney Futures Exchange, the March share price index contract was 41 points higher at 3565 on a volume of 3926 contracts.
Gold prices rebounded as the dollar gave back some of its recent gains and fell against other major currencies.
The price of gold in Sydney was $US843.70 per fine ounce, up $US22.90 on Friday's close of $US820.80.
Lihir Gold gained ten cents, or 3.7 per cent, to $2.78, Newcrest added $1.85, or 6.4 per cent, to $30.80 and Sino Gold rose 30 cents, or 6.7 per cent, to $4.80.
The big miners also rose with BHP Billiton gaining 22 cents to $30.10, while Rio Tinto increased $1.10, or 2.9 per cent, to $39.45.
With no such thing as a safe bet, investors turn to the untraditional
Shares start the year positive
