The team has represented Australia at the FIFA Women's World Cup on eight occasions (once as co-host in 2023) and at the Olympic Games on five, although it has won neither tournament.

[6] A national team made up primarily of players from New South Wales and Western Australia was sent to the 1978 inaugural Women's World Invitational Tournament, in Taipei, Taiwan.

[7] Australia, coached by Jim Selby,[8] played against club teams at the tournament and none of the players' appearances counted as official caps.

Again, Australia finished even with New Zealand on points but this time had a superior goal difference and qualified for their first FIFA Women's World Cup.

[citation needed] Asics and team management jointly developed the design of the first sponsored strip; it incorporated new technology that made it lighter and more comfortable for the players than their previous kit.

Australia thrashed their Pacific island opposition in their group games and semi-final, before defeating hosts New Zealand in the final 3–1 (the only goal conceded for the tournament), and qualifying for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup in USA.

As Ernie Merrick backed out on his intentions to coach the team, Adrian Santrac only took over as manager in November, and Australia played no games in 2001.

[47] This was followed up with two draws against Norway (1–1) and Canada (2–2) with a late goal from Cheryl Salisbury ensuring Australia's spot in the quarter finals for the first time in the team's history.

But a 75th-minute goal from Brazilian striker, Cristiane gave Brazil a 3–2 win which ended the Matildas' World Cup run at the quarter-final stage.

[49] The following year the team contested the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, held in Germany, being sorted into Group D. Despite losing 1–0 to Brazil in the opening game, victories of 3–2 and 2–1 over Equatorial Guinea and Norway respectively qualified the Matildas to the quarterfinals.

[51] Prior to his leaving, the Australian team took part in the 2013 East Asian Cup preliminary round 2, held in China in November 2012.

The goal was scored by Kyah Simon after a shot by Lisa de Vanna was blocked and redirected by Brazilian goalkeeper Luciana.

[63] Following the Tournament of Nations, the Matildas scheduled a set of two friendlies in September 2017 hosting Brazil, with the first match at Penrith Stadium sold-out,[64] which Australia won 2–1.

[66] At the 2018 AFC Asian Cup, held in Jordan in April, Australia qualified automatically due to their runner-up status in the 2014 tournament.

[68] Despite entering 2019 on the back of good form and with their highest ever rating (4th) on FIFA's ranking list, the Matildas coach Alen Stajcic was sacked in January by Football Federation Australia (FFA).

Players, Sam Kerr, Lydia Williams, Elise Kellond-Knight and Clare Polkinghorne spoke in support of Stajcic and voiced their surprise at his sacking.

[72] Australian hosted the invitational Cup of Nations in February–March with visitors from New Zealand, South Korea and Argentina;[73] they won all three games (2–0,[74] 4–1,[75] 3–0)[76] – finishing first.

[83] After beating New Zealand (2–1), losing to Sweden (4–2) and drawing with the United States (0–0), they were ranked third in their group and progressed to the quarter finals against Great Britain.

Despite a strong performance and a disallowed goal by Kerr, they lost 1–0, relegating them to a bronze medal match play-off against the United States.

[89] After their Olympics bronze medal defeat, Australia played their first ever match against the Republic of Ireland on 21 September 2021, with it being Sam Kerr's 100th cap.

[91] In November, in their final matches of the 2021 calendar year, they played another set of home friendlies against World Number On side the United States, recording a 0–3 defeat and a 1–1 draw.

[101] Australia started the 2023 World Cup in July with a tense 1–0 victory over Ireland by Stephanie Catley, with the only goal scored from a penalty kick.

[106] Australia defeated France 7–6 in a penalty shoot-out, with the Matildas becoming the first senior Australian team to make a world cup semi-final.

[107] The quarter-final match between Australia and France also had the longest penalty shoot-out in the history of the FIFA Women's World Cup, with 20 total kicks.

[116] On 1 August 2024, it was confirmed that Gustavsson's role as head coach would not be extended, following Australia's early exit from the Olympic Games which was to be the end of his contract.

[121] Matildas won both games against Chinese Taipei (3–1, 6–0), with Australian first time goals by Bryleeh Henry, Leah Davidson, Natasha Prior and Sharn Freier.

[122] In late February 2025 the Matildas are due to participate for their first time in the invitational SheBelieves Cup against the hosts United States and fellow visitors Colombia and Japan.

[123][124] Regarded as Australia's most beloved national sporting team in 2019, the Matildas have grown its fanbase over recent years, due to increased exposure, successful tournaments and skilled players coming on to play both internationally and at club level, including captain Sam Kerr, widely regarded as one of the world's best soccer players.

[138] Australian matches (excluding finals tournament of the FIFA Women's World Cup and Olympic Games (until 2032)) are broadcast by Paramount+ and on free-to-air by Network 10.

From 2024 until 2032, Matildas matches during Summer Olympics finals tournament will be aired live on free-to-air Nine Network and Nine's subscription streaming via Stan.