Australia have seized control of the first Test with the West Indies after bowling them out for 148 and finishing day one 63 runs adrift.

Michael Clarke's side finished the day on 85-3 as Australia look on course to draw first blood in the two-Test series in Dominica.

Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood took three wickets apiece to ensure that the West Indies posted a modest target at tea, with opener Shai Hope contributing most of the 148-run total with 36.

The visitors laboured early on in their innings, with opener David Warner (8) and Shaun Marsh (19) doing little to inspire confidence at the crease.

Captain Clarke (18) soon followed as Steven Smith (17*) and Adam Voges (20*) look to make further inroads toward reducing the deficit on day two.