Returning to the court after two years, Sania and her Ukrainian partner Nadia Kichenok prevailed 2-6 7-6 (3) 10-3 over Oksana Kalashnikova of Georgia and Japan's Miyu Kato in a contest lasting one hour and 41 minutes.
Barty decided to do more and will give her Brisbane winnings -- potentially USD 250,000 -- to the Red Cross.
Defending Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka, who is on the other side of the draw, has a first-round match against Maria Sakkari.
Japanese tennis player Kei Nishikori on Thursday kept his Brisbane International campaign rolling as he overpowered Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov 7-5, 7-5 in the quarterfinals.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray was ruled out of the Brisbane International by losing in straight sets 7-5, 6-2 to Russia's Daniil Medvedev.
Japan's Naomi Osaka on Thursday defeated Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International.
Rafael Nadal on Wednesday withdrew from the season-opening Brisbane International after an MRI revealed a slight strain of his left thigh.
"I know it is tough. I cannot thank enough the people who support me in my career - especially the tough moments," he concluded.
The Brisbane International is held from December 30 to January 6.
The Australian champion, ranked World No.21, needed one hour and 13 minutes to defeat his rival, World No.47.
