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The Australian share market has closed sharply lower after a fall in technology stocks on United States markets caused a wider sell-off on Wall Street.

Perth-based financial services group Pioneer Credit has outlined plans for a $40.2 million IPO, the largest by a Perth company in 20 months.

The state's public universities are bracing for a likely fall in revenue next year, with the number of eligible domestic school leavers set to fall as a result of a change to the school starting age a decade ago.

In this week's edition of Business News Background, news editor Mark Beyer and journalist Dan Wilkie discuss the business news with James Lush: the wash up from last Saturday's Senate election re-run, latest lower unemployment figures and the effect on the exchange rate, plus the APPEA conference, Fiona Stanley hospital, and focus on the construction industry.

The Economic Regulation Authority has called for an end to the Royalties for Regions program and the abolishment of domestic gas reservation and the Keystart housing scheme, while also pushing for major payroll tax, land tax and stamp duty reforms.

Online education provider iCollege expects to begin trading within days on the Australian Securities Exchange as the company wraps up a reverse takeover of DGI Holdings.

This week's APPEA conference highlighted the key issues facing one of the state's fastest growing industries; the solutions are less clear.

National waste recovery firm SITA Australia has acquired Kalgoorlie-based industrial and waste services business MAILS for an undisclosed sum.

Hours after announcing it had secured $US6.47 billion ($6.89 billion) in equity funding to construct a long-heralded port and rail network at Oakajee, junior explorer Padbury Mining has put its shares in a second trading halt in anticipation of revealing the identity of the investors.

The stock market has opened lower after a sharp slide on Wall Street overnight.

The tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index has led US stocks sharply lower as anxiety about pricey technology equities returned with a vengeance and dragged down the broader market.

The Australian dollar remains above 94 US cents following stronger-than-expected jobs figures.

If it wasn't clear already, last week's Senate poll delivered a stark warning to the Labor Party.

Perseus Mining has launched an investigation into the cause of a fire in the processing plant at its Edikan gold mine in Ghana yesterday.

The Australian dollar has pushed past 94 US cents after a surprise fall in the unemployment rate.

Ten Network boss Hamish McLennan still believes he can turn the struggling broadcaster around, but says he needs more time.

National Australia Bank is severing ties to digital currency providers, saying they pose an unacceptable level of risk to the bank's business and reputation.

The share market has been driven higher by financial stocks after the release of better than expected jobs figures.

Minrex Resources has agreed to a reverse takeover by private firm Skin Elements, a sunscreen and cosmetics company steered by former New Tel head Peter Malone and corporate advisor Luke Martino.

Resonance Health intends to raise up to $5.1 million with a placement and entitlement offer, pitched at 5 cents per share.

MZI Resources will start construction within months on its Keysbrook mineral sands project in Western Australia after securing a US$64 million debt facility to help fund the development.

The Department of Health failed to properly assess its ability to commission Fiona Stanley Hospital on time prior to signing a $4.3 billion facilities management contract with Serco, according to a report by a parliamentary committee.

It's easy to understand why South Africa's Woolworths is currently being seen as a winner with its $2.15 billion takeover offer for David Jones, but it's also interesting to wonder whether Woolworths will be seen as a winner next year.

The Australian share market has made strong gains in opening trade continuing Wednesday's momentum when it hit near-six-year highs.

The Australian market looks set to open strongly higher following Wall Street's surge led by tech stocks after US Federal Reserve minutes showed no support for an early rise in interest rates.

Wall Street stocks have bolted higher with tech equities leading the way after US Federal Reserve minutes showed no support for an early rise in interest rates.

The Australian dollar has reached a fresh four-month high on greenback weakness following the release of US Federal Reserve meeting minutes.

QUBE Property Group managing director Mark Hector and Emeco Holdings chief executive Ken Lewsey are among five business leaders appointed to the board of Lifeline WA, as the not-for-profit crisis support service looks to strengthen its corporate ties.

The Australian share market closed at its highest level since the global financial crisis in mid-2008, boosted by a range of positive drivers.

The huge Chinese market is expected to open up to Western Australian cattle producers, with a further step taken towards trial shipments.

A tough budget next month is not the optimal policy response for Australia, but the federal government will have to improve its financial position over the medium term.

Small business owners are more satisfied with the federal government than they have been in recent years, but a new survey has found there are still a lot of changes the sector would like to see implemented to help run their businesses efficiently.