The Kangaroos have clicked to punish a disappointing New Zealand, with Reece Walsh running riot in a 32-12 World Cup final waltz.
There was an expectation the Kiwis, searching for their second Cup title and first since 2008, would push Australia all the way after a two-point loss in a pulsating tournament opener.
But the visitors struggled from the outset in Brisbane on Sunday night, Jamayne Isaako's kick-off floating long in a sign of things to come.
Walsh dazzled at fullback for the Kangaroos, his pace, vision and wicked footwork too much as he helped lay on two tries and generally wreak havoc around the ruck and close to the line.
Conversely, Walsh's New Zealand opposite Kalyn Ponga - International Rugby League's Golden Boot winner on Thursday night - was unable to get into game.
Australian hooker Harry Grant and halves Tom Dearden and Cam Munster completely outplayed their error-riddled opposites, while the Kangaroos' pack muscled up.
Dearden laid on two first-half tries for Liam Martin with well-timed short balls, while Bradman Best was rewarded for an inspired chase-down tackle of Jahrome Hughes with a try soon after.
When Tom Trbojevic scored to begin the second half it was 28-6 and effectively game over.
Jack Bostock, adjudged player of the match, completed his breakout season with a try in each half for Australia.
It was the Kangaroos' fourth consecutive title and 10th in the last 11 tournaments, dating back to 1975.
"Just getting it right at the right times, and total belief in these fellas and with a skipper like this [Isaah Yeo] it's hard to get it wrong," coach Kevin Walters, a Cup-winning player in 1992, said.
"The history, the Kangaroos have played for over 100 years and the boys are aware of it.
"I grew up watching the Kangaroos on telly … and their passion and drive, you saw it tonight."
Walters added a nice touch to the triumph by sending on James Tedesco off the bench in the final minutes.
The 34-year-old, who captained the side to the 2022 World Cup victory, confirmed that the win was his last in Kangaroos colours.
Walters' decisions to select Walsh instead of Tedesco at No.1 and prefer Dearden to Sam Walker were not easy, but proved correct.
The pace and flair of Walsh is dangerous enough, but it is his vision that makes the 24-year-old magician such a threat. He spied an overlap on the left and created the space for Bostock to score in the first half.
In the second half it was dazzling feet and strength of the talismanic No.1 that did the Kiwis in and presented Trbojevic with a gift.
The two Kangaroos wingers vindicated the call of the coach to play them in positions they haven't been NRL regulars in this year. The duo scored 18 tries in the tournament, both crossing nine times.
Kangaroos centre Best has a love affair with Suncorp Stadium and it continued. He already had two tries in two State of Origin deciders for NSW.
Now he can add a try saving tackle on a runaway Hughes and a four-pointer of his own minutes later to turn the game and give the hosts an 18-6 lead.
Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo was a tower of strength at the business end of the tournament, as was prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, second-rower Jacob Preston and bench forward Cameron Murray, whose quick play-the-balls were lethal.
Kiwis centre Casey McLean, who scored the opening try, did not return after halftime due to delayed concussion symptoms.
"We just got beaten on the big stage," Kiwis coach Stacey Jones said of the "missed opportunity" after an otherwise fine tournament.
"We got off to a bad start, couldn't fight our way out of it.
"Errors, discipline, we gave away penalties and they got at our ruck with energy in that line speed."
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