Australian shares were poised to open lower on Thursday amid worries over the economic impact of stricter restrictions in Sydney ahead of New Year's eve celebrations to prevent a new coronavirus outbreak.

The New South Wales government restricted household and public gatherings in the country's most populous city, hoping to avoid a "super spreader" event after having detected a fresh cluster of coronavirus cases in the city earlier this month.

The local share price index futures fell 0.4pc, a 91.4-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close.

The benchmark ended down 0.3pc at 6,682.4 on Wednesday, snapping a three-day gaining streak.