Ian Harte earned his 50th cap for the Republic of Ireland against Australia by playing a crucial part in Ireland's 74th minute equaliser when his cross was diverted home by John O'Shea for his first international goal.
Four minutes later, Clinton Morrison missed a glorious chance with a free-header from five yards after great work by Harte and Damien Duff.
Morrison made amends three minutes later with a glorious finish from a tight angle after he had taken the ball around Mark Schwarzer.
Stan Lazaridis had earlier played a superb cross which Andy O'Brien could not clear, leaving Mark Viduka with the simplest of conversions from less than six yards.
Nick Colgan kept Ireland in the game with a fine save from Viduka when the Leeds striker looked likely to grab his second goal of the night.
The Republic won 2-1 meaning Brian Kerr remains unbeaten after seven matches in charge.
Robbie Keane was stretchered off two minutes before half-time in the Lansdowne Road contest with suspected ligament damage. He will definately miss the Spurs game against Leeds this coming Saturday.
Meanwhile, Jermaine Pennant was sent-off for England U-21's as they suffered a disheartening 3-0 defeat by Croatia in a friendly at Upton Park.
Arsenal winger Pennant, due to join The Whites on loan this week, was red-carded just after the hour mark when he looked to hit out at an opposition player.
Pennant also hit the post from a narrow angle for England while Croatia were also denied by the woodwork when an inswinging free-kick came back off the crossbar.
Oh and Paul Okon also featured against Ireland tonight!