On the day that QPR manager Harry Redknapp confirmed striker Remy's imminent departure from the club, with a switch to Stamford Bridge apparently due to be completed soon, Austin returned from injury to score the only goal of the game.
The former Burnley man had missed the 4-0 defeat to Tottenham with a hamstring strain but produced a smart finish in first-half stoppage time to give the London club their first points since promotion back to the top flight.
Even without Remy, who was left out of the squad, Redknapp's side put in their best performance of the campaign so far and could have won more comfortably had Leroy Fer's long-range shot not cannoned back off the crossbar prior to Austin's opener.
Although Sunderland initially improved after the break, in the end they did not have enough, as Gus Poyet's side struggled to carve out clear-cut chances.
Despite two opening Premier League defeats, Redknapp had received a vote of confidence from club owner Tony Fernandes in the build-up to the match, and he revealed on the eve of the game that he is in discussions to sign a new two-year deal.
In Remy's absence, Austin was handed a start in his place.
Sunderland looked just as much of an attacking threat as their hosts and six minutes later, Steven Fletcher's poked effort forced Robert Green into a desperate save, following Adam Johnson's precise throughball.
Patrick van Aanholt's 54th-minute cross was not dealt with by the QPR defence and Santiago Vergini's left-footed strike forced Green into a smart save to his right.
Poyet's side began to enjoy more possession, but they struggled to capitalise as they lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
Substitute Armand Traore raced through on goal and went one-on-one with Vito Mannone, only for the wing-back to drag his right-footed effort wide of the post.
