Australia will be aiming to seal the fifth and final Ashes Test within four days as they require four more wickets to secure a consolation win in the series at the Oval.
England made 203-6 at stumps on the third day in their second innings after the hosts were asked to follow-on, thanks to a resolute knock by captain Alastair Cook (85).
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon claimed two wickets, while Mitchell Johnson, Steven Smith, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Marsh shared four wickets each between themselves.
England are still trailing by 129 runs, with Jos Buttler and Mark Wood remaining unbeaten on their respective scores of 33 and 0.
Earlier in the day, England were bundled out 149 in their first innings, while conceding a huge 332-run deficit.
England have already regained the Ashes series after claiming an emphatic innings and 78-run win over Australia in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge.