Jackson Irvine and Mathew Leckie's headers from corner kicks earned the Socceroos a crucial three points in Sydney on Tuesday night
It was far from a perfect performance but a meritorious result for Ange Postecoglou's men, who looked dangerous with the ball and at set pieces.
At their worst, the Socceroos were static and indecisive, yet to fully adjust to their new 3-2-4-1 formation on its second outing.
But the performances of Irvine and James Troisi - standing in for absent pair Aaron Mooy and Tom Rogic - were spirited, and ultimately the difference.
Irvine met Troisi's sixth-minute corner, heading at Abdelaziz Sanqour so fiercely it clattered off the defender's chest and into the goal.
Australia was off and running, and so was the 24-year-old; embracing Troisi after his first international goal.
Troisi turned provider once more in the 78th minute, with Leckie rising to bury a carbon copy header to his effort against Iraq last week.
The result doesn't lift Australia into the automatic qualifying positions currently occupied by Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Given Ange Postecoglou's side are still yet to play both of those teams, their fate remains firmly in their own hands.
The same can't be said for UAE, which had chances but won't feature in the 2018 tournament.
The Emirati did have their chances, as a shakiness persisted in the Socceroos defence.
Just as it was against Iraq, balls over the top troubled Australia.
Prodigously talented attacker Omar Abdulrahman forced a stunning save out of Mat Ryan, who replaced Mitchell Langerak in goal, from an early free kick.
While spirited, UAE's attacking threat failed to materialise as the Socceroos finished stronger.
With the points safe, Postecoglou threw on Denmark-based midfielder Mustafa Amini for his international debut.