Hometown hero Oscar Piastri will start the Australian Formula Grand Prix from second after being pipped for a historic pole by McLaren teammate Lando Norris.
The record crowd of 136,347 in Melbourne roared when Piastri went to the top of the times with just seconds remaining in qualifying.
But Norris, who had an earlier lap time deleted for exceeding track limits, almost immediately went faster than Piastri to complete a McLaren one-two and disappoint the majority of fans watching track side.
"I wouldn't say I'm disappointed (not to get pole) because I feel like I did a job that I'm happy with," Piastri said.
"I think if I was sitting here going I had another two-tenths in hand and I blew it then I'd be pretty upset.
"But I feel like I've executed well this weekend so that's all I can ask for myself."
It means the wait for an Australian pole at Albert Park continues, with Mark Webber or Daniel Ricciardo never having achieved the feat during their long careers.
Four-time defending champion Max Verstappen will start Sunday's season-opening race from third, defying his gloomy pre-season predictions for Red Bull.
Piastri is aiming to become the first Australian driver to stand on the podium in Melbourne, let alone win the race.
Alan Jones was the most recent local winner of the Australian GP, back in 1980 at Calder Park Raceway, before the race joined the F1 world championship calendar in 1985.
Englishman Norris joked he wanted to make it out of Australia alive, saying his pole was slightly bittersweet that it came at the expense of Piastri.
"It's also my job, and it's what I get paid to do," Norris said.
"What's written in my contract is I have to go out and drive as quick as I can.
"It's a difficult one because every every country backs their drivers a lot."
Piastri's fellow Australian, Jack Doohan, will start his first home GP from 14th after putting in a solid effort before being eliminated in Q2.
"Unlucky with the yellow flag, which brought a close to our chances," Doohan said.
"We were looking very strong, even on that (last) lap, we were two-tenths up before that happened."
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamiton qualified eighth in his highly-anticipated debut driving for Ferrari.
Haas rookie Oliver Bearman's nightmare weekend continued as he failed to record a lap time after suffering gearbox trouble and will start from 20th and last on the grid.
The highly-rated teenager, who made his F1 debut as a reserve driver with Ferrari last year, made an error in practice one when he lost his front right tyre, causing him to miss P2.
After repairing his car ahead of the third and final practice, Bearman veered off into the gravel and caused another red-flag to end his session without a time.
"A pretty unforgiving circuit," Bearman said.
"Two seemingly small errors giving big consequences.
"Clumsiness from my side to make these errors and that's not good enough.
"Then of course the gearbox issue in the qualifying, pretty much sums up what we've had so far."
Sunday's 58-lap race will get underway at 3pm local time.
GRID FOR AUSTRALIAN FORMULA ONE GRAND PRIX
1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
4. George Russell (Mercedes)
5. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)
6. Alex Albon (Williams)
7. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
8. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
10 Carlos Sainz (Williams)
