Upper surface usually flattened forward of the pelvic fins with the area between the eyes distinctly flat or concave.

[3] The body of the Shaw galaxias is mainly grey-brown to grey-tan on the upper surfaces and the sides above the lateral line and over the head and snout.

[3] At present, only known from one locality, Shaw Creek in the Macalister River catchment of Gippsland in the state of Victoria.

In 2002 only found in one small stream (about 0.6–1.4 metres (2.0–4.6 ft) wide and 15–20 centimetres (5.9–7.9 in) deep) made up of pools (on average 50 centimetres (1.6 ft) deep), glides and riffles over a substrate consisting of bedrock, boulder and cobble.

Unlike many other Galaxias, this species does not undergo a downstream migration to the sea or brackish water and is confined to freshwater for its entire lifecycle.