It is endemic to New Guinea and known from its type locality in the Snow Mountains (Panara Valley near Mount Doorman Top),[1][2] and according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, from another location in the Wapoga River headwaters some 100 km further west.

[1] The specific name brongersmai honours Leo Brongersma, a Dutch author and zoologist.

[2][3] The type series consists of three adult males measuring about 24 mm (0.9 in) in snout–vent length.

The throat and chest are dull cream with a broad, brown mandibular border.

[4] Ranoidea brongersmai occurs on low vegetation along torrential mountain streams in submontane rainforest at elevations above 1,000 m (3,300 ft).