In a clear message to players struggling for game time at their clubs or those still looking for a contract, including free agents Tommy Oar and Oliver Bozanic, Postecoglou warned he won't be so charitable at the selection table next time around.
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"We're trying to encourage all of them to be playing regular football - that way we can measure their form," Postecoglou said.
"With this squad we've made a couple of exceptions, but certainly for the next squad and beyond, we'll more than likely be picking guys who are playing regular football, whoever that may be.
"That's always been our message to them moving forward. But it's their careers, and I'm sure all of them are pretty keen to get themselves sorted out."
Despite training on his own since leaving FC Utrecht at the end of last season, Oar made the cut for Postecoglou's 23-man squad for the upcoming clashes against Bangladesh in Perth on 3 September, and then Tajikistan in Dushanbe on 8 September.
So too has Tomi Juric, another player who was scrambling to find a new home before this week signing for Dutch club Roda JC.
But there was no room for Bozanic or AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 final hero James Troisi, who are both still trying to find a club.
Postecoglou said they were 'different cases' and couldn't be compared.
"James Troisi is still very much an important part ... but we felt even in Krygyzstan he looked a little bit underdone because of his injuries," he said.
"We've got a lot more alternatives in the midfield areas to allow those guys to have time to sort themselves out.
"With Juric and Oar, they play in areas where we don't have much depth and watching them in camp last time, it didn't affect them as much not playing regularly."
Postecoglou has also named skipper Mile Jedinak, who has been relegated to a bench role at English Premier League club Crystal Palace recently.
But Postecoglou is convinced Jedinak's exclusion from the Palace starting line-up is only temporary.
"I'm sure he'd prefer to be playing but the situation with him, knowing Mile, I'm sure he's fighting at every training session to prove to the manager that he should be starting," he said.
"I have no doubt he'll win that battle, he's just that kind of guy.
"There's certainly nothing wrong with him physically, he's in good nick."
Postecoglou sprung a couple of surprises in a squad otherwise laden with regulars - Leyton Orient goalkeeper Alex Cisak has a chance to win his first Socceroos cap at the age of 26, while midfielder Jackson Irvine, who plays for Ross County in Scotland's top flight, returns nearly two years after making his one and only appearance for the national side.
Fit-again Tom Rogic also earned a recall, along with Robbie Kruse and Massimo Luongo, who both missed the 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan in June due to injury.
Australia squad: Aziz Behich, Nathan Burns, Tim Cahill, Alex Cisak, Jason Davidson, Tarek Elrich, Adam Federici, Jackson Irvine, Mile Jedinak, Tomi Juric, Robbie Kruse, Mathew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Ryan McGowan, Matt McKay, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Tommy Oar, Tom Rogic, Mat Ryan, Matthew Spiranovic, Alex Wilkinson, Bailey Wright.
