The striped legless lizard was formerly distributed throughout temperate lowland grasslands in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), the south-western slopes and Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, central and southern Victoria, and the south-eastern corner of South Australia.

The distribution of the species has declined, with many known sites no longer supporting populations.

[2] Its sole habitat within Canberra is scheduled for development in late 2015–2016, which will destroy most of the small-animal population there.

In an innovative effort, prior to bulldozers destroying the grasslands, roofing tiles are being used as "heat bait" to attract the lizards in the area.

The captured lizards are then planned for evaluation, tracking, and transportation to what may be a sustainable habit 75 kilometres (47 mi) away.