The Australasian bent-wing bat was described as a new species in 1922 by British zoologist Oldfield Thomas.

[3][1] It is known to harbor the blood parasite Polychromophilus melanipherus, though one study found that bats with the blood parasite did not appear to suffer deleterious effects such as anemia or low body weight.

[4] M. orianae bassanii only occurs in southwestern Victoria and southeastern South Australia.

[1] One of the subspecies (M. orianae bassanii) has been evaluated as critically endangered in Australia under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 since 2007.

[5] M. orianae oceanensis is listed as vulnerable in Victoria, as it is only known from one maternity cave.