The 33-year-old overcame early breaks of serve in both sets to win 6-3 6-2 in the tournament's first match at Pat Rafter Arena on Sunday against Trevisan, who hit a career high ranking of 18 in May.
Rodionova, the world No.114, is Australia's highest-ranked female and needed a wildcard to feature in her first top-level event in nearly two years.
She has worked tirelessly to come back, overcoming a wrist injury in 2022 and dominating on the lower-tier ITF level this year to surge from No.302 in the world.
Rodionova said she was delighted to be back after eight months on the sidelines in 2022. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)
Rodionova has won a stunning seven ITF singles titles and 78 matches this year and will now face former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin of the US in the second round.
The Brisbane International has not been held as a men's and women's event since 2019.
Bumper New Year's Eve crowds were queuing before gates opened on Sunday morning to celebrate its return.
"I had so much fun today - I don't remember the last time I enjoyed being on the court so much," Rodionova said.
"I was out for eight months. It was a tough time and I started back last year, played over 100 matches and am now feeling really confident on court.
"Don't take it (your health) for granted - I think you can see I'm really having fun out here."
An all-Australian match between Alexei Popyrin and Chris O'Connell headlines the main court action later on Sunday.
American Sloane Stephens was a first round winner, beating Katerina Siniakova 7-5 6-3. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)
American Sloane Stephens beat Czech player Katerina Siniakova 7-5 6-3 while Austria's former US Open champion Dominic Thiem scraped through qualifying, beating Italian world No.135 Giulio Zeppieri 3-6 6-4 6-4.
Thiem managed a great escape against Australian James McCabe on Saturday, saving three match points after a brown snake slithered courtside and delayed play.
He could face Rafael Nadal in the first round, the Spanish great drawing a qualifier in his injury comeback.
Andy Murray and Nadal will also play in separate doubles matches before featuring in singles on Monday or Tuesday.
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