Australia ended an eight-match losing streak against England with a 30-28 win in the first of three test matches, adding more pressure on embattled losing coach Eddie Jones.
England arrived in Western Australia last week after losses to Ireland, France and most recently a surprise 52-21 defeat by the Barbarians invitational side.
The Australians were forced to play a man down for more than half the match after lock Darcy Swain was sent off for head-butting his English rival Jonny Hill. But Australia scored three second-half tries to end England's domination of Australia that dates to 2015.
The visitors scored two late tries to make the result close.
Australia were hard-hit by injuries early. Wallabies fullback Tom Banks sustained an apparent serious arm injury during the first half and Quade Cooper was a last-minute withdrawal after straining his left calf in the warm-up.