Qualifying
| Pos | No | Driver | Car | Qual | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Frank Matich | Matich A50 / Repco Holden 5.0L V8 | 1:24.3 | — |
| 2 | 8 | Bob Muir | Mildren Mono / Waggott 2.0L I4 | 1:25.4 | +0.9 |
| 3 | 7 | John Harvey | Brabham BT36 / Waggott 2.0L I4 | 1:25.6 | +1.3 |
| 4 | 6 | Max Stewart | Mildren / Waggott 2.0L I4 | 1:25.8 | +1.5 |
| 5 | 14 | Graeme Lawrence | Brabham BT30 / Cosworth FVC 1.8L I4 | 1:26.0 | +1.7 |
| 6 | 9 | Alan Hamilton | McLaren M10B / Chevrolet 5.0L V8 | 1:26.3 | +2.0 |
| 7 | 2 | Colin Bond | McLaren M10B / Holden 5.0L V8 | 1:26.4 | +2.1 |
| 8 | 5 | Kevin Bartlett | McLaren M10B / Chevrolet 5.0L V8 | 1:26.8 | +2.5 |
| 9 | 3 | John Surtees | Surtees TS8 / Chevrolet 5.0L V8 | 1:27.2 | +2.9 |
| 10 | 11 | John McCormack | Elfin MR5 / Repco Holden 5.0L V8 | 1:27.6 | +3.3 |
| 11 | 12 | Warwick Brown | McLaren M4A / Cosworth FVC 1.9L I4 | 1:29.3 | +5.0 |
| 12 | 26 | Jack Bono | Elfin 600B / Cosworth FVA 1.6L I4 | 1:29.7 | +5.4 |
| 13 | 15 | Don O'Sullivan | McLaren M18 / Repco Holden 5.0L V8 | 1:29.7 | +5.4 |
| 14 | 17 | Gary Campbell | Elfin 600B / Cosworth FVA 1.6L I4 | 1:30.1 | +5.8 |
| 15 | 20 | Alfredo Costanzo | Elfin AC1 / Cosworth FVA 1.6L I4 | 1:30.1 | +5.8 |
| 16 | 16 | Henk Woelders | Elfin 600C / Waggott 1.6L I4 | 1:31.2 | +6.9 |
| 17 | 10 | Colin Hyams | Lola T192 / Chevrolet 5.0L V8 | 1:31.4 | +7.1 |
| 18 | 19 | Terry Quartly | Lotus 32B / Cosworth FVA 1.6L I4 | 1:31.8 | +7.5 |
| 19 | 25 | Ian Fergusson | Bowin P3A / Ford 1.6L I4 | 1:33.0 | +8.7 |
| 20 | 21 | Ian Cook | Devione LC2 / Cosworth FVA 1.6L I4 | 1:33.8 | +9.5 |
| 21 | 24 | Ross Ambrose | Elfin 600B / Cosworth FVA 1.6L I4 | 1:34.2 | +9.9 |
| 22 | 18 | Clive Mills | Elfin 600B / Cosworth FVA 1.6L I4 | 1:34.8 | +10.5 |
| 23 | 23 | Chris Farrell | Brabham BT6 / BRM Cosworth FVA 1.6L I4 | DNP |
Read more about this topic: 1971 Australian Grand Prix