Ponting, Australia's 366th Test player and 42nd Test captain, announced that the Perth Test against South Africa starting tomorrow will be his last.
It will be his 168th Test for Australia, equalling Steve Waugh's record as most Tests played by an Australian.
CA Chairman Wally Edwards said Ponting's decision was typical of the way he had approached his cricket since becoming a first-class player in his teens and a Test player at 20.
"Ricky is always uncompromisingly straightforward and leads from the front