The pairing of Angelique Kerber and Alexandar Zverev only need their singles ties wins over Ash Barty and Matt Ebden to make the final.

Australia was looking to make the final of the Perth tournament for the first time since 2016.

Kerber, a three-time Grand Slam champion defeated Barty 6-4 6-4 to take the early lead for Germany. 

The former world No.1 is now unbeaten in all her seven of her singles matches at the Hopman Cup.

Barty came into the match having beaten the world No.2 in their previous meeting.

It was a different story this time around with Barty having a poor service game in the seventh to hand Kerber a break before going on to win the first set in 32 minutes.  

The German took an early break in the second with Barty having four chances to break back but Kerber held serve. 

"It was a difficult one," Barty told AAP post-match.

"I didn't give myself much of a look in on return games and also just one poor service game in the first set - there wasn't really much in it in the end."

Teammate Matt Ebden needed to win his match to keep Australia's hopes alive but went down to Zverev 6-4 6-3.

However, there was a consolation win for Australia taking the mixed doubles 4-0 4-3(1). 

Germany will now be looking to exact revenge on the Swiss after losing in the final last year.