Australian shares are likely to open higher on Tuesday, helped by strong iron ore and copper prices which could also drive the country's mining index higher, while a rise in new COVID-19 cases is likely to weigh on risk appetite.

The local share price index futures rose nearly 0.3%, a 66.3-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close.

The benchmark ended flat on Monday.

Australian shares poised to open higher, NZ edges up

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index rose 0.2% by 1027 GMT.