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O'Keefe - the leading wicket-taker in the Sheffield Shield last season with 41 - was named as part of a 15-man Test squad to play Pakistan from October 22.
It also included uncapped all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, while Phillip Hughes was named as the backup batsman and Glenn Maxwell as a spin-bowling all-rounder.
Hughes is expected to battle incumbent No.3 Alex Doolan for a spot in the Test side and will travel to the UAE early to spend time working on his batting against spin with coaching consultant Muthiah Muralidaran.
Ryan Harris, recovering from winter knee surgery, and injured batsman Shaun Marsh are the players missing from the squad that defeated South Africa in March.
Selectors named just three fast-bowlers - Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle - for the series that is expected to be played on slow wickets.
Captain Michael Clarke and all-rounder Shane Watson have both been named and will be aiming to prove their fitness having been ruled out of the recent ODI tour of Zimbabwe.
Clarke's hamstring is expected to heal before the first Test in Dubai starts in six weeks. However a setback would put his availability for the tour in doubt.
Marsh's selection hopes hinge on the fitness of incumbent pace-bowling all-rounder Watson.
Watson will only begin bowling again in the next few days after damaging ankle ligaments stepping on a ball at training three weeks ago.
Australia Test squad: Michael Clarke (c), Alex Doolan, Phillip Hughes, Brad Haddin, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve O'Keefe, Mitchell Johnson, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson