THE Australian women's water polo team has beaten Kazakhstan 16-4 at the world championships in Hungary, with captain Rowie Webster scoring five goals.

Australia, ranked fourth in the world, led 8-2 lead at halftime with three goals by Webster and doubles by Zoe Arancini and Maddy Steere.

Kazakhstan fought back in the third-quarter cut the lead to 10-4 before Australia scored four unanswered final-quarter goals.

The win gave the Stingers top spot in group D after Russia beat Greece 9-7.

Australia next plays world No.5 Russia on Tuesday before their final pool match against the Greeks on Thursday.

In other results the winner United States thrashed South Africa 24-2, Spain beat New Zealand 10-2, Italy defeated Canada 10-4, China had an 11-4 victory over Brazil, The Netherlands smashed France 24-2 and Hungary beat Japan 20-11.