Were you looking at fares from www.travel.com.au?

Malaysia Airlines also has good business class fares to NYC
SYD-KUL-NYC (with a stop in Dubai) but the flights only operate on specific days of the week.

Other fares are as follows (if you don't insist on flying UA) [copy and pasted from www.travel.com.au]

You Book
It Online We Book It
For You Airline Fine Print
(Important) Book/Hold
Seats
AUD4120 AUD4247 China Airlines Ltd Read Rules Step 2
AUD4436 AUD4436 All Nippon Airways Ltd Read Rules We Book
AUD4458 AUD4596 Japan Airlines Read Rules Step 2
AUD4872 AUD5023 Egyptair Read Rules Step 2
AUD5217 AUD5378 Malaysia Airlines Read Rules Step 2
AUD5379 AUD5545 Asiana Airline Read Rules Step 2
AUD5379 AUD5545 Korean Air Read Rules Step 2
AUD5400 AUD5567 Eva Airways Read Rules Step 2
AUD5655 AUD5655 Aerolineas Argentinas/Iberia Read Rules We Book
AUD5485 AUD5655 Aerolineas Argentinas Read Rules Step 2
AUD5710 AUD5887 South African Airways Read Rules Step 2