Australian shares are set to open lower on Friday, slipping from the record close scaled in the previous session, as strict restrictions in major cities amid a resurgence in COVID-19 cases as well as a botched-up vaccination roll-out dampened sentiment.

The local share price index futures fell 0.2%, a 106.4-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close. The benchmark rose 1.1% on Thursday.

Australia shares poised to open lower, NZ falls

Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index rose marginally in early trade.