Australia had taken complete control of the match after dominating the first two sessions, declaring on 674-6 and reducing England to 20-2, still 219 runs behind, at tea.
However, torrential rain fell almost as soon as the players went off, boosting the hosts' chances of forcing a draw.
"We saw the opportunity to keep them out in the field for 180 overs, which was pretty hard work for them,"Australia's Marcus North said. We were pretty disappointed when the rain came, but at the moment there's only one winner and hopefully it won't rain tomorrow."
North (125 not out) and Brad Haddin (121) both struck centuries, giving Australia a lead of 239, before England's Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara were both out lbw in fading light.
Resuming on 479-5, Australia began the morning session brightly, with Haddin hitting three fours from eight balls, all bowled by Stuart Broad.
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