See main article: 1981 Australian Open. Martina Navratilova defeated Chris Evert in the final, 6–7(4–7), 6–4, 7–5 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1981 Australian Open. It was her first Australian Open singles title and third major singles title overall.
Hana Mandlíková was the defending champion, but was defeated in the quarterfinals by Evert.
The seeded players are listed below. Martina Navratilova is the champion; others show the round in which they were eliminated.
See main article: 1981 Australian Open – Women's singles qualifying.