(Updates to close)
SYDNEY, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Australian shares fell for a second session on Wednesday and closed at their lowest in over three weeks as declines in banks offset a rebound in mining and energy stocks.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO shed 0.55 percent, or 28.11 points, to 5,080.50, extending Tuesday's 0.91 percent decline.
Most of the big four banks finished in the red but oil and gas producer Santos STO.AX climbed 5.7 percent, trimming some of the hefty losses suffered in the past two sessions.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index bounced off a 2-1/2 week low to close at 6,053.55, up 0.31 percent, or 18.55 points, on the day.
(Editing by Shri Navaratnam)