The Australian share market has ended the day slightly lower on Tuesday, after weakness in overseas markets and a lack of any significant economic data failed to inspire investors.

At the close of trade, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index was down 3.80 points or 0.06 percent at 6,061.30, while the broader All Ordinaries index slipped 1.30 points or 0.02 percent at 6,166.00.

Across the sectors, it was financials, consumer stocks and the healthcare which weighed heaviest on the market.

However, materials, energy, utilities and telecommunications stocks were all big improvers.

In the financial space, Australia's big banks were softer with The Commonwealth Bank down (0.15 percent), Westpac Bank down (0.32 percent), National Australia Bank was flat (0.00 percent) and ANZ down (0.56 percent).

Mining stocks were stand out performers with BHP up (0.37 percent), Rio Tinto up (0.91 percent), Fortescue Metals up (1.03 percent) and Newcrest Mining up (1.14 percent).

The country's oil and gas producers also made gains with Woodside Petroleum up (0.33 percent), Santos up (0.18 percent) and Oil Search up (0.13 percent).

Australia's largest supermarket chains edged slightly higher with Wesfarmers up (0.11 percent) and Woolworths up (0.04 percent).

Telecommunications giant Telstra soared (0.83 percent), the national carrier Qantas lifted (0.20 percent) and biomedical firm CSL sank (0.53 percent).