Emergency services began a search on foot and from the air for Aurora Friday after the young girl wandered off into bushland on a rural property in Queensland state.
Seventeen-year-old blue heeler Max stayed with the child through a rainy night before leading family and rescuers to her Saturday morning after more than 15 hours in the wild.
"Leisa (the child's grandmother) heard Aurora's voice, found Max first, and then Max led her to Aurora," Leisa's partner Kelly Benston said, adding the dog was partially blind and deaf.
Police were quick to make the hero pooch one of their own.
"SUCH A GOOD BOY, MAX!," Queensland Police posted on Facebook.
"For keeping her safe until she was found, you're now an honorary police dog!," police posted alongside a picture of family pet.