After Saudi Arabia scored first, Australia’s speedy striker Alex Brosque replied in the 43rd minute, but a stoppage-time goal gave the visitors the lead.
While crucial for the Saudis, the Socceroos were already certain to progress to the final stage of qualifying regardless of the result of Wednesday night’s match.
That was reflected in their lack of early urgency.
They had one good chance early on, in the third minute, when Brett Emerton lobbed a far-post header over the Saudi goalkeeper to fellow A-League star Harry Kewell, but Kewell was ruled off-side and his tap-in disallowed.
But despite the Socceroos’ lack of early penetration, it was still a shock when the visitors’ Salem Mohammed Aldawsari gave Saudi Arabia the lead with a superb solo effort from long range in the 19th minute.
Aldawsari was put under little pressure as he moved the ball in from the left flank, dribbling past midfielders Mark Milligan and the recalled Mark Bresciano, then firing accurately from 25m.
That goal seemed to jolt Australia into action, as they took charge for most of the remainder of the half.
Bresciano tested the Saudi keeper with a fine one-touch long-range effort in the 32nd minute, while Kewell had a shot from similar distance deflected just wide a minute later.
The equaliser came when veteran Bresciano, playing his first match for Australia since the 2010 World Cup, played an excellent through-ball past the Saudi defence, allowing Brosque to use his pace and knock it in nicely.
But just as it looked like Australia would take the momentum into the break, some loose checking allowed Saudi Arabia’s Nassir Ali Alshamrani to receive a cross under no pressure in the penalty area and strike it past Mark Schwarzer.
Australia were in danger of losing on home soil for the first time since 2009.
A win for the Saudis would ensure they join Australia in the final stage of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.