Australian shares are poised to fall on Friday as the ninth day of the US government shutdown fueled investor concerns over a political deadlock and economic disruption.

Adding to market unease, US Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr urged caution on further interest-rate cuts amid ongoing inflation risks tied to tariffs, heightening global uncertainty.

Overnight, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, 0.1%, and 0.5%, respectively.

In the macroeconomy, the monthly business turnover indicator report is due at 11:30 am Sydney time.

In corporate news, Chorus (NZE:CNU, ASX:CNU) said that New Zealand's Minister of Finance and Minister of Infrastructure asked the National Infrastructure Funding and Financing to investigate the feasibility of selling the Kiwi government's securities in the company, according to a Friday filing with the New Zealand and Australian bourses.

Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) is in focus as cybercriminal group Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters threatened to release stolen customer data on the dark web on Friday, when a ransom deadline expires following a major breach that exposed personal details of 5.7 million customers.

Australia's benchmark index rose 0.3% or 22.2 points, to close at 8,969.80 on Thursday.