The Matildas have started their two-game friendly series against China with a 2-0 win in Wollongong to claim just their second victory in eight matches.
Australia scored twice in the space of five first-half minutes to burst away at WIN Stadium and while the visitors dominated possession and territory after the half-time break, the Matildas held on rather comfortably.
Katrina Gorry led the way in midfield for the home team, scoring the opening goal and then helping create the second, while goalkeeper Lydia Williams pulled off a handful of strong saves to keep China scoreless.
Both sides began Sunday's match looking rusty with plenty of passes going astray in the opening 10 minutes.
China were able to pin Australia back in their own half, although the hosts looked dangerous on the counterattack with the speed of Sam Kerr and recently-crowned Australian Female Footballer of the Year Lisa De Vanna troubling the Chinese back four.
Williams was lucky not to give away a penalty in the 24th minute when she made contact with China's Yang Li but the striker kept her feet only to shoot into the side netting.
Soon after, Wang Shanshan forced Williams into a brilliant save as she tried to chip the Australian goalkeeper, before the Matildas hit the front in the 34th minute.
Gorry had an initial shot blocked on the edge of the area but collected the loose ball, jinked past two opponents and then thrashed it into the roof of the net.
Before China could really react it was 2-0 as China failed to clear Gorry's free-kick out of their penalty area and Australia's captain Claire Polkinghorne headed to Laura Alleway, who flicked the ball on for Tameka Butt to volley home at the back post.
Williams was forced into another top save soon after when Yang turned sharply in the box and Australia maintained their two-goal lead at half-time.
Despite having plenty of the ball, China struggled to get in behind Australia's back four in the second half, while at the other end both Gorry and Kerr went close to making it 3-0.
The victory was a top response from the Matildas after being humbled 4-0 away to the United States last month and sets them up nicely for their second game against China in Parramatta on Wednesday.