Mickey Arthur aims to rebuild Australian cricket with a formula that has been missing of late - consistent selection, clear roles for players and an ability to win on the subcontinent.

The South African will take over for the first Test against New Zealand starting on December 1, knowing he and his fellow selectors face some immediate tough decisions.

But Arthur wouldn't be drawn on the future of veteran Ricky Ponting, deferring that call to the first meeting of new chairman of selectors John Inverarity and his panel.

"It's hard coming in from the outside not knowing what's going on in the team - that'll be a discussion and something for John Inverarity to take up," he said after his appointment as national coach was announced on Tuesday.

But the man who took South Africa from the No.5 Test nation and No.6 one-day team to the top of both world rankings has a clear vision of what he can do for Australia.

"The key to ultimate success is strong leadership, clear role definition and consistent selection," Arthur said.

From there, Australia needs to take little steps on the way up the same big climb made by his South African side.

The first step is two Tests against New Zealand, followed by four against India and a tour of the West Indies.

"You take the little steps one at a time and hopefully we will then have a team capable to going to England and winning the Ashes there (in 2013)," he said.

"I'd like us to focus on the small little goals first."

Then the big goal.

"If you want to be No.1, you've got to win on the subcontinent," he said.

"Four teams play out of the subcontinent, you've got to have the ability to mix your style up at any given time."

The 43-year-old won't change Australia's style too much. Just a few tweaks, he says, while retaining the principles of bowlers sending the ball down at 140km/h, flamboyant batsmen who score at a quick rate and agile fielders - like the South African side he coached from 2005 to 2010.

And, like his Proteas, he wants to build the team around several pillars he and the new selectors will identify in the coming months.

Arthur couldn't say whether Ponting will be one, but suggested new golden boy Pat Cummins could be - as long as the 18-year-old quick is managed properly.

"The emphasis is on squad, you need to have a squad of X amount of players who all have the ability to play international cricket at any given time," he said.

"With six Test matches in eight weeks coming up, it's going to be tough on the bowlers having to win games day in and day out. We need to have depth and a fast bowling battery to achieve what we want."

As coach of Western Australia since 2010, Arthur has seen enough good batsmen in the country putting pressure on the incumbents, but would like to see better treatment of the spinners.

The tweakers have suffered most from inconsistent selection, with 11 used since Shane Warne's retirement in 2007.

"Select one and back him in to do a job, give him clear role clarity," Arthur said.

He's excited by the challenge of taking on a once great team in what he euphemistically called "transition" and trying to rebuild it to former glories, unencumbered by any baggage.

"I think I bring a fresh, unblinkered eye to the role," Arthur said.

"Australian cricket is in a very exciting phase."

The first foreigner to coach Australia, Arthur beat Steve Rixon, Justin Langer and Tom Moody to the job and expects he'll have no problem earning the respect of the players.

Is Mickey Arthur the right man for the job?
Should the Australia coaching job be reserved for Australians?
What should be Arthur's prime focus?
Can Australia dominate the sport again?