The specific name, bushi, is in honor of Australian naturalist and herpetologist Brian Gordon Bush (born 1947).

[4] V. bushi is most similar to the stripe-tailed goanna (V. caudolineatus) and the pygmy mulga goanna (V. gilleni) of all monitor lizards.

However, the Pilbara monitor can be distinguished from these other two species by some morphological and genetic differences.

[1] The preferred natural habitats of V. bushi are desert and savanna.

However, it is known to be arboreal and to shelter in bark crevices, in hollow trees, and under fallen logs.