The winner of a record 16 grand slam singles titles, Federer arrived after the rest of the Swiss team following his emotional and gruelling five-set loss to Novak Djokovic in the US Open semi-finals on Sunday.
It means he has two days to adjust to the grass courts at Royal Sydney Golf Club before the Davis Cup World Group playoff tie against Australia.
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Australian team stalwart and fellow former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt doubts the limited preparation time will hamper the Swiss great.
"For a freak like Roger, it doesn't matter," Hewitt said.
"I haven't seen a lot that Roger hasn't been able to do, so he's as close to Superman as it comes."
Federer is expected to play two singles rubbers and could also team up with Swiss No.2 ranked singles player Stanislas Wawrinka for Saturday's doubles.
The pair teamed to win gold in the men's doubles at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
However, Wawrinka on Tuesday revealed he was still getting over a leg injury he suffered at the US Open.
