Australian dollar higher on strong US jobs data THE Australian dollar climbed after claims for US unemployment benefits last week fell to their lowest level since mid-March. At 6.30am AEST the local unit was trading at 102.91 US cents, up from 102.46 cents on Wednesday. Local markets were closed yesterday for the Anzac Day public holiday. In early morning trade, the currency peaked at 103.41 US cents, its highest level since last Friday.