Coach Michael Cheika praised the performance of back-to-form fullback Folau after his two-try performance helped Australia start the Test season off on the right foot.

Folau notched up his first double-try effort since the Wales Test in November 2014, while winger Henry Speight also bagged two five-pointers.

The Wallabies fullback was back to his attacking best, scoring tries in the fourth and 55th minute in Australia's five-tries-to-two victory.

Folau had not scored a try for the Wallabies in his last 11 Test matches but made an immediate impact, leaping high in the air in the opening exchanges to break his drought.

"No, not at all," said Folau when asked if a lack of tries for the Wallabies was something that had bothered him.

"I definitely didn't think about that coming into the game. I really wanted to come out and enjoy myself. I was just satisfied trying to get my hands on the ball and build on top of that.

"Even before I came into camp with the Wallabies I was really just trying to go out there and have fun."

The win was Australia's 18th from 21 starts against Fiji and they managed to continue their 63-year dominance over the Pacific Island nation.

Australia skipped out to a 18-0 half-time lead and were ably led by Folau as well as No.9 and No.10 Will Genia and Bernard Foley.

"Even just the last few games of this season for the Waratahs and now into this match today, he looked very dangerous," said Cheika of Folau. "We've probably got to get the ball to him a little bit more. I was very happy with his performance."

Cheika will make the most of the positivity in the group after their 23-point win, in stark contrast to the sharp pains of doubt when England came to Brisbane last year and shocked an underdone Wallabies side.

In terms of opposition, Fiji could be one of the weakest teams the Wallabies will come up against this year, and this fixture was timely in order to work on combinations and, most importantly, serve as a confidence booster.

Foley was the glue in the Wallabies attack and he will no doubt cop a ribbing from teammates after running out of gas at one point as he streaked away from inside Australia's half to the Fiji line.

His right-hand man, Karmichael Hunt, also showed serious promise on debut at No.12, alleviating fears he was a liability in that position with so little Super Rugby experience there.

"I thought Karmichael did quite well and Bernard has steered the ship there for the first Test of the year," Folau said. "We're obviously still trying to get those combinations right."

As for Australia's other starting debutant, Ned Hanigan, his seven tough carries for 30 metres contained the same enthusiasm as his rendition of the national anthem in front of a disappointing Melbourne crowd of 13,583.

"I was very impressed with Ned's debut game," said captain Michael Hooper. "He was pumped during the week and he showed that and carried himself well on the field. You're in danger of overplaying your hand and I don't think Ned did that."

Those fans and handful of punters hoping Fiji could conjure up a miracle like Samoa did in 2011 against the Wallabies were left feeling deflated in an energetic opening 15 minutes in which Australia streaked out to an early lead and never looked back.

"What a privilege to lead the guys out today," Hooper said. "It's a great taste. To get the music going, to sing your national anthem in the change room after the game is a really nice start to the season and something we can build on."

The Wallabies will now turn their attention to Scotland; a side they have beaten by one-point in their last two outings.

Overall, Cheika was happy with the new combinations, particularly in the midfield, and hinted there might be changes in Sydney to get a gauge on where other squad members are at.

"If needed to we could make some changes and look at some different setups or maybe even just give some other guys some game time," Cheika said. "We can go horses for courses according to who we're playing against."

AUSTRALIA 37 (Israel Folau 2, Henry Speight 2, Stephen Moore tries; Bernard Foley 3 conversions; Foley 2 penalties) defeated FIJI 14 (Goneva Vereniki, Timoci Nagusa tries, Ben Volavola 2 conversions) at AAMI Park, Melbourne.