An Australian woman charged with trying to smuggle 546 grams of heroin through Malaysia's international airport was effectively released today after pleading guilty in court.

Gordana Paresanovic, who was allegedly found with the drugs hidden in her corset, was sentenced to six weeks in prison from date of arrest (February 27) and given a fine of RM10,000 ringgit, said her counsel Karpal Singh.

"She pleaded guilty to the charge. The prison sentence of six weeks from date of arrest effectively means she has completed her term," he told AFP .

Karpal said Paresanovic, who remains in police detention, would pay the fine Wednesday and be deported immediately.

"I told the court that Paresanovic was in transit and the drugs were never meant for Malaysia," he said.

The 46-year-old woman escaped a possible death sentence as she was charged with possession of drugs rather than trafficking because she was detained while in transit from Vienna to Sydney.

She was initially charged with trying to smuggle three kilograms of heroin but the amount was reduced after a chemist's test.

The Yugoslav-born woman emigrated to Australia some eight years ago and lives in Melbourne.

Relations between Malaysia and Australia were strained in 1986 when two Australian men were hanged for drug trafficking.