Initially described as Cortinarius austrovenetus by Australian naturalist John Burton Cleland in 1928, this mushroom along with many other members of the group was separated from the huge genus Cortinarius, and placed in the newer genus Dermocybe, commonly called skin-heads, derived from the meaning of their scientific names.

In 2007, Bruno Gasparini suggested that C. austrovenetus is the same species as another Cortinarius in subgenus Dermocybe, C. walkerae.

[2] The fruit bodies of Cortinarius austrovenetus are smooth with a convex or flat cap that can be up to 16 centimetres (6 in) across.

Like most members of the family Cortinariaceae this mushroom has a thin web-like veil (the cortina) protecting the gills in the early stages of growth.

[1] The edibility of this mushroom is unknown, and it should be avoided, as some of its close relatives contain lethal toxins.