Australian stocks started the week in demand Monday, holding on to early gains and sparking confidence among traders, reported dpa.
The ASX 200 climbed 171 points, or 4.3 per cent, to 4,142.
Market leader BHP Billiton Ltd put on 6 per cent, while mining-sector rival Rio Tinto Ltd put on 5 per cent.
There were rises in all sectors, with retailers gaining after weeks in the doldrums.
Sentiment was helped by the big banks dropping their spreads to accord with easier access to the money markets because of government guarantees for all deposits.