THE Australian market is set to begin the week higher, following gains on US and European markets due to encouraging US jobs data. The US unemployment rate fell to 7.7 per cent, data released on Friday showed. At 0712 AEDT on Monday, the March share price index futures contract was up 20 points at 5,143. No major economic or company news is expected on Monday. The market on Friday closed higher, remaining near four-and-a-half year highs. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index added 14.2 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 5,123.4 points, and the All Ordinaries index gained 14.4 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 5,137.5.