See main article: 1976 Australian Open.
Mark Edmondson defeated the defending champion John Newcombe in the final, 6–7, 6–3, 7–6, 6–1 to win the men's singles tennis title at the 1976 Australian Open. Unseeded at the tournament and ranked world No. 212 at the time, Edmondson remains the lowest ranked player ever to win a major in men's singles since the ATP rankings were introduced in 1973. Edmondson is also the most recent Australian to win the Australian Open men's singles title.
The seeded players are listed below. Mark Edmondson is the champion; others show the round in which they were eliminated.
Ken Rosewall (semifinals) John Newcombe (final) Tony Roche (quarterfinals)
Stan Smith (third round) Phil Dent (second round) Geoff Masters (second round) Ross Case (quarterfinals) Allan Stone (second round) Bob Carmichael (first round) Charlie Pasarell (third round) Ray Ruffels (semifinals)
Brian Fairlie (third round) Dick Crealy (quarterfinals) Kim Warwick (third round) Syd Ball (third round)