The rear toes are partially webbed and the metatarsal tubercles (shovel like structures on the heel of the foot to assist with burrowing) are completely black.

Painted burrowing frogs inhabit waterholes, dams or pools of watercourses in woodland, grassland, and cleared areas.

Males make an elongated trilling sound while floating in water after heavy rains, mainly in winter and autumn.

Like other Neobatrachus the species is an adapted burrower and will often spend periods of time underground to avoid drought conditions.

It is an uncommon species being threatened with habitat loss and is classified as endangered in New South Wales.