The 35-year-old scored the breakthrough after coming off the bench in Saturday's 3-0 win in Tashkent - her first international goal in almost eight years - and was promoted at Emily van Egmond's expense in Melbourne.
It is her first start since an Algarve Cup game against Portugal in March 2018.
Caitlin Foord, who is on managed minutes and also scored in the first leg, replaces Hayley Raso in the only other change, with second-gamer Kaitlyn Torpey retaining her starting spot alongside Mary Fowler in attack.
Australia have already all but sealed qualification for Paris with their 3-0 lead from the away leg, but after a wasteful performance on Saturday, are out to prove a point in front of goal.
Coach Tony Gustavsson has demanded goals from his line-up and the changes reflect an intent to score early in sweltering conditions at Marvel Stadium, which had the roof open.
Temperatures hit 36C in Melbourne earlier on Tuesday, but it didn't deter a sellout crowd.
There were plenty of purple jerseys among the green and gold, with shotstopper Mackenzie Arnold's goalkeeping shirt recently made available for sale for the first time.
For Uzbekistan, Ilvina Ablyakimova replaced Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva in the only change.
MATILDAS STARTING LINE-UP
Mackenzie Arnold (GK); Ellie Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Steph Catley (C); Katrina Gorry, Kyra Cooney-Cross; Kaitlyn Torpey, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Michelle Heyman.
