Barty, who is on a 14-match unbeaten streak in the event, double-bagelled Caroline Garcia, recording a 6-0, 6-0 triumph after compatriot Ajla Tomljanovic lost the opening singles rubber at Perth Arena.

Tomljanovic was well beaten in the first rubber as Kristina Mladenovic used all her Fed Cup experience to see off the Australian debutant and put France 1-0 up in the best of five, two-day final.

Doubles specialist Mladenovic cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 victory as Australia's decision to play Tomljanovic in place of veteran Sam Stosur backfired.

Barty's comfortable win over Garcia leaves the tie all-square, with the reverse singles rubbers and a doubles contest to come tomorrow.

Australia last won the Fed Cup in 1974, while France lifted the trophy in 2003.

Tomorrow Barty will aim to put Australia ahead as she meets Mladenovic, before Tomljanovic takes on Garcia in the final singles rubber.

If the match remains level after those games, Barty will team up with Stosur for the deciding doubles rubber against Garcia and Mladenovic.