The 1981 Australian Open was a tennis tournament played on grass courts at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne in Victoria in Australia. It was the 70th edition of the Australian Open and was held from 30 November through 6 December 1981 for the women and from 24 December 1981 through 3 January 1982 for the men.
See main article: 1981 Australian Open – Men's singles. Johan Kriek defeated Steve Denton, 6–2, 7–6(7–1), 6–7(1–7), 6–4
• It was Kriek's 1st career Grand Slam singles title.
See main article: 1981 Australian Open – Women's singles. Martina Navratilova defeated Chris Evert, 6–7(4–7), 6–4, 7–5
• It was Navratilova's 3rd career Grand Slam singles title and her 1st title at the Australian Open.
See main article: 1981 Australian Open – Men's doubles. Mark Edmondson / Kim Warwick defeated Hank Pfister / John Sadri 6–3, 6–7, 6–3
• It was Edmondson's 2nd career Grand Slam doubles title and his 2nd title at the Australian Open.
• It was Warwick's 3rd career Grand Slam doubles title and his 3rd and last title at the Australian Open.
See main article: 1981 Australian Open – Women's doubles. Kathy Jordan / Anne Smith defeated Martina Navratilova / Pam Shriver 6–2, 7–5
• It was Jordan's 4th career Grand Slam doubles title and her 1st and only title at the Australian Open.
• It was Smith's 4th career Grand Slam doubles title and her 1st and only title at the Australian Open.
The competition was not held between 1970 and 1986.
Jörgen Windahl defeated Pat Cash 6–4, 6–4
Anne Minter defeated Corinne Vanier 6–4, 6–2
David Lewis and Tony Withers won the title
Maree Booth and Sharon Hodgkin won the title