Captain Michael Clarke spent valuable time at the crease, but the rest of Australia's order struggled for runs on a difficult day three of their tour match against Essex.
The tourists' bowlers endured a chastening day two in their final Ashes warm-up in Chelmsford as a dazzling 144 from Tom Westley led an Essex fightback after Australia had posted 562 in their first innings.
However, Essex fell from 299-3 to 414 all out on Friday - with Mitchell Starc tearing through the lower order to claim figures of 6-51, although Ravi Bopara deservedly passed his century before falling to Mitchell Marsh (2-47) on 107.
Australia struggled with the bat, though, and only a knock of 77 from skipper Clarke spared their blushes as they reached stumps on 212-8 with a lead of 360.
Clarke, who was out for a duck in the first innings, crafted a patient knock that included six fours and two sixes from 131 balls, but long-term partners were in short supply.
David Warner (4) was the first to fall when bowled by Jamie Porter (1-38), while fellow opener Chris Rogers (32) edged behind off Matt Salisbury (2-24).
Adam Voges (1) and Shane Watson (6) - looking to stake a claim for the first Test against England in Cardiff next week - were both out to lbw calls as Australia slipped to 76-4.
Marsh hit 169 in the first innings and he and Clarke put on 62 for the fifth wicket to stop the rot, before the former was bowled by Salisbury just when he looked settled at the crease on 37.
Australia had a worry when Clarke took a blow to the hand when on 66, but he batted on and fell in the last over, bowled by Aron Nijjar (2-80), before Peter Nevill (12) and Starc (13) were accounted for.