1981 Custom Credit Australian Indoor Championships – Singles

John McEnroe was the defending champion and won in the final 6–4, 7–5, 6–2 against Roscoe Tanner.

Seeds

 * 1) 🇺🇸 John McEnroe (champion)
 * 2) 🇺🇸 Roscoe Tanner (final)
 * 3) 🇺🇸 Eliot Teltscher (semifinals)
 * 4) 🇦🇺 Peter McNamara (quarterfinals)
 * 5) 🇺🇸 Vitas Gerulaitis (quarterfinals)
 * 6)  Víctor Pecci (quarterfinals)
 * 7) 🇦🇺 Kim Warwick (first round)
 * 8) 🇺🇸 Tom Gullikson (quarterfinals)