The Wallabies scored a desperately-tense 18-9 victory over gallant England at Twickenham on Saturday.
In a gripping encounter, Australia trailed until the hour mark before fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper clinched the first leg of rugby's grand slam with a powerhouse try eight minutes from time.
Ashley-Cooper, who scored Australia's sole try in last year's Twickenham triumph over their old foes, was mobbed by teammates after carrying four defenders over the line and planting the ball in the left-hand corner.
Matt Giteau nailed the sideline conversion to put the issue beyond doubt.
But this Test could have ended in disaster for the Wallabies, who are bidding to emulate the 1984 Australian side which famously completed a grand slam sweep of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
With 27 players unavailable - but with Australia's World Cup nemesis Jonny Wilkinson back for his first Test in 18 months - depleted England looked poised to spring a massive boilover after taking a 9-5 lead into halftime.
Wilkinson, incredibly also playing his first November in seven years after a storied career dogged by injuries - scored all of England's points through a drop goal and two penalty goals. Ultimately, though, he was upstaged by a superb man-of-the-match display from Wallabies halfback Will Genia, who was again magnificent in just his fourth Test start.
Wilkinson showed his intentions early, drilling a third-minute drop goal, the first points from their returning hero sending Twickenham's capacity 70-strong crowd into raptures.
The veteran five-eighth doubled England's advantage in the 10th minute after winger Peter Hynes was harshly penalised for an apparent dangerous tackle on England fullback Ugo Monye.
Australia's first promising movement broke down when Wycliff Palu was penalised for not releasing, but it wasn't long before the Wallabies were again on the attack.
After some patient build-up from the Australian forwards, Genia crossed for his maiden Test try, the diminutive No.9 dummying his way over from close range in the 21st minute.
Giteau's missed conversion attempt left England 6-5 ahead.
Another Wilkinson penalty gave England their four-point halftime buffer, but Australia really should have led at the break.
England's midfield defence looked vulnerable throughout the match, but the Wallabies continued to be their own worst enemies, either infringing with possession or turning the ball over through a lack of composure.
Close to halftime, Stephen Moore sent Benn Robinson on a storming run but, unaccustomed to find himself in such space, the Wallabies prop butchered the try when he failed to pass to Peter Hynes, who was free on his right just 15 metres from the England line.
It was more of the same from the Wallabies straight after the break when Elsom was unable to put Hynes over in the right corner after some relentless Australian attack inside the England 22.
Giteau added a 47th-minute penalty to reduce the margin to a point as Australia, with a mountain of possession, dominated the second half.
But England's spirited defence held firm and, time after time, the Wallabies were unable to drive home their advantage.
Winger Drew Mitchell kicked away possession inside the England quarter and then, after tackle-shedding 15-metre surge, Ioane spilt the ball over the line.
Giteau finally put Australia ahead for the first time on the hour with an angled 25-metre penalty after England collapsed the scrum before Ashley-Cooper struck late .
