Elysse Perry's injury and four newcomers will mean a new-look Australian women's T20 team for the series against New Zealand.
The Southern Stars will play curtain raisers before the three men's T20s against Sri Lanka, starting on Friday at the MCG.
The women also have a return one-day series in New Zealand from February 26.
Perry, one of the top players in women's cricket, is still recovering from a hamstring injury.
She will not play in the T20s and is in the one-day squad, but first must pass a fitness test.
"Obviously she's a fantastic player and we'll miss her all-round ability," said teammate Alyssa Healy.
"But they've picked a few extra faces in the squad who will be able to cover that.
"It presents a challenge for the selectors and the group of girls, to cover a player like that - she's obviously a class act in the international scene."
Fast bowler Sarah Aley was a late call-up to the 13-player T20 squad after Lauren Cheatle suffered a shoulder injury.
Aley is one of the four squad members yet to make their T20 international debuts.
Allrounder Ashleigh Gardner is set to become the first indigenous player in an Australian women's team since Faith Thomas played her one Test in 1958.
Off-spinner Molly Strano and leg-spinner Amanda-Jane Wellington, who has played two one-day internationals, are the others yet to play in the Southern Stars T20 team.
The six matches are an important block for the Australians, who will have a break before heading to England in June for their World Cup title defence.
"The World Cup is the pinnacle of our sport and you have to be performing well to be picked," Healy said.
"All the girls will be keen to put on a good show and get in the selectors' ears, that they'd like to be in the UK later in the year.
"I feel really lucky to be a part of the squad at the moment, in that we have a great culture and a great feel about it.
"So I have no doubt the three new girls ... will fit in really easily."
