Qualifying
| Pos | No | Driver | Car | Qual | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19 | Roberto Moreno | Ralt RT4 Ford | 0:39.2 | — |
| 2 | 27 | Alan Jones | Ralt RT4 Ford | 0:39.2 | +0.0 |
| 3 | 9 | Nelson Piquet | Ralt RT4 Ford | 0:39.3 | +0.1 |
| 4 | 4 | John Bowe | Ralt RT4 Ford | 0:39.6 | +0.4 |
| 5 | 62 | Bruce Allison | Ralt RT4 Ford | 0:39.8 | +0.6 |
| 6 | 26 | Jacques Laffite | Ralt RT4 Ford | 0:39.8 | +0.6 |
| 7 | 12 | Geoff Brabham | Ralt RT4 Ford | 0:39.9 | +0.7 |
| 8 | 71 | John Smith | Ralt RT4 Ford | 0:39.9 | +0.7 |
| 9 | 3 | Larry Perkins | Ralt RT4 Ford | 0:40.0 | +0.8 |
| 10 | 6 | Ray Mallock | Ralt RT4 Ford | 0:40.2 | +1.0 |
| 11 | 5 | Andrew Miedecke | Ralt RT4 Ford | 0:40.2 | +1.0 |
| 12 | 84 | Alfredo Costanzo | Tiga FA81 Ford | 0:40.3 | +1.1 |
| 13 | 2 | Charlie O'Brien | Ralt RT4 Ford | 0:40.4 | +1.2 |
| 14 | 18 | David Oxton | Ralt RT4 Ford | 0:40.6 | +1.4 |
| 15 | 26 | Lucio Cesario | Ralt RT3 Golf | 0:40.7 | +1.5 |
| 16 | Peter Larner | Kaditcha Ford | 0:40.7 | +1.5 | |
| 17 | 77 | Peter Williamson | Toleman TA860 Toyota | 0:40.9 | +1.7 |
| 18 | Mike Quinn | Galloway HG1 Ford | 0:41.4 | +2.2 | |
| 19 | Ron Barnacle | Ralt RT1 Ford | 0:41.8 | +2.6 | |
| 20 | 48 | Ray Hangar | March 77B Ford | 0:42.5 | +3.3 |
| 21 | Bob Creasy | Birrana 273 Ford | 0:43.1 | +3.9 |
Read more about this topic: 1981 Australian Grand Prix