The specific epithet australis, from the Latin, means not “Australian” but "southern", referring to the geographical distribution of the species.

The leaves are pinnate, openly spaced on the stems, around 10 cm long and velvety smooth to the touch.

The flowers are smooth, in short spires in the leaf axils, freely produced and showy, outlining the curves of the stems.

[4] A very common and widespread species in Australia, Indigofera australis grows in a variety of different habitats, mainly open woodland and eucalypt forest, but also in desert and in the margins of rainforest.

[6] First Nations Australians are said to crush the leaves and added these to water to kill or stun fish and eels.