Virginia Wade defeated Evonne Goolagong in the final, 6–4, 6–4 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1972 Australian Open.

It was her second major singles title.

Wade was making her tournament debut.

Margaret Court was the three-time reigning champion, but did not compete this year due to pregnancy.

A champion seed is indicated in bold text while text in italics indicates the round in which that seed was eliminated.