Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe is expecting a tough test from Australia when the sides meet at Tallaght Stadium next week.
Ireland have lost seven games in a row, all against higher-ranked teams, and the World No 11 Matildas will be confident of adding to that tally.
"They're a very, very strong side," said McCabe, who counts Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Lydia Williams among her team-mates at Arsenal.
"They finished fourth at the Olympics, which is fantastic. They have a top-quality squad, who I play with or against week in week out.
"It will be a very good test for us but one that we're looking forward to.
"The nations we have played over the last number of months are ranked well above us. I think it's important to challenge ourselves against tough opposition to prepare us for those big games that will be coming up in the World Cup campaign.
"Welcoming the supporters back after so long, it will be an electric one."
A lifeline for Ireland as O'Sullivan is brought down in the box but McCabe hits the bar again from the penalty https://t.co/DCZgAvv4go #UKRIRL pic.twitter.com/rmLIKTwlgD
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 23, 2020
Ireland's dreams of Euro 2022 qualification ultimately came undone thanks to a draw in Greece and defeat in Ukraine.
McCabe, who missed a penalty in Kyiv, hopes the team can learn from the heartache and improve in the 2023 qualifying campaign, which begins at home to group favourites Sweden on 21 October.
"Those games were must-wins, and it's for us to learn from that and do better going forward," she said of the Euros disappointment.
"Even more recently, the Iceland game away, when we found ourselves 3-0 down in the first half, we adapted and changed things at half time.
"We went out, had a better second half and got the two goals.
"I think we should have drawn the game to be honest but it's about learning from that in this stressed situations and moving forward as a team."
Meanwhile, the profile of the Women's Super League is growing, and McCabe is delighted that a new TV deal means her family can now watch her games live every weekend.
"I think it's one of the best leagues in the world in women's football," she said.
"You've got superstars that are flying in to play for the top clubs in England.
"That makes it stronger and obviously when you have the likes of Sky Sports coming on board and making it visible to everyone, week in week, out that's a statement in itself.
"Visibility is key. It's a credit to the FAI for really pushing that."
