It is endemic to Papua New Guinea and known only from two localities, Mount Victoria and Myola Guest House in the Owen Stanley Range.

[1][2] Common name Victoria land frog has been suggested for it.

[2] Austrochaperina brevipes is a stocky, relatively broad-headed frog.

[3] The species' natural habitat is montane rainforest where they live in leaf litter and beneath logs.

[1][3] The threats to this poorly known species are unknown; this frog has not been seen since 1987.