Kyle Edmund, who is Britain's sole male representative in the main draw of the Australian Open, will open his campaign against Kevin Anderson.
British No 1 Andy Murray underwent surgery to resolve a troublesome hip injury and is hoping to return to competitive tennis for the 2018 grass-court season while Cameron Norrie was beaten in the second round of qualifying on Thursday.
That means British hopes remain with world No 49 Edmund, but he will take on US Open finalist Anderson from South Africa in a tough opening round clash in Melbourne.
Edmund will hope to be fully fit after pulling out of the Auckland Open because of an ankle strain last week.
The 23-year-old has only faced world No 11 once, in the last 32 of last year's French Open, which Edmund lost in five sets.
Anderson said: "It was a very close match, five long sets. He's a terrific player, he's really improved, very physical, his forehand's improved so it's going to be a tough match."
Britain's Johanna Konta, seeded ninth, will open her campaign against American Madison Brengle.