Australia were all out for 74 inside 27 overs, one of their lowest ever one-day international scores, after Sri Lanka swung the ball at the Gabba on Friday.
Nuwan Kulasekera took five wickets for 22 and Lasith Malinga three for 14.Australia won the toss and opted to bat but fell to an inswing onslaught in the third match of a series of five which stands level at 1-1.
Australia's historic lowest ODI score is 70 against New Zealand in 1986 and the same 70 against England in 1977.