The first description of the species was published in 1915 by Oldfield Thomas,[2] based on a male type specimen obtained from the Herberton district in the north of Queensland.

The distribution range is associated with wet forest habitat between Cape York and the north of New South Wales, rainforest and vegetation at permanent water are the typical environs.

Drier areas nearby the wetter habitat is also used by the species, in woodland and forests that provide suitable food or refuge.

They are often seen hunting at the edge of forests, using their characteristic foraging techniques; a well known population occurs at the Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park.

The assessment included the subspecies Nyctophilus bifax daedalus, but anticipated the elevation to full species.