Australia had already qualified for the knockout stage and guaranteed a top-two finish, with the result moving the 2015 champions to seven points while Uzbekistan finished second with five points.
"We came here at the start of the tournament to top the group and we've got the job done," Australia coach Graham Arnold told reporters.
"It's the most important thing and we move forward now one game at a time and see who our next opponent is."
Australia had an early goal ruled out for offside but they took the lead at the stroke of halftime when they were awarded a penalty following a VAR check for a handball from Odiljon Hamrobekov, with Martin Boyle putting away the spot kick.
"The Australian coach was honest and said it was never a penalty," Uzbekistan coach Srecko Katanec said. "They have to review a little bit the connection between VAR and the referee.
"The referee didn't give the penalty and in a situation like this they called the referee directly, I don't know the communication.
"If this is the penalty rules, then nobody knows the rules. There's no intention and still it's a yellow card."
But Uzbekistan equalised in the 78th minute when Azizbek Turgunboev climbed over the defence to head home Jaloliddin Masharipov's cross at the far post.
In the other group game, Syria beat India 1-0 after Omar Khribin - the 2017 Asian Footballer of the Year - netted in the 76th minute to give the Middle Eastern side their first goal of the tournament.
With four points, Syria must wait to see if they can qualify for the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams while India exit the competition without scoring a goal in three losses.
Check out the game summary with Flashscore.
