Platycephalus bassensis was first formally described in 1829 by the French zoologist Georges Cuvier in volume 4 of the Histoire naturelle des poissons which he co-wrote with Achille Valenciennes.

This species occurs on sandy, muddy or shelly substrates in shallow coastal bays down to depths of around 100 m (330 ft).

[4] Platycephalus bassensis has separate sexes and external fertilisation with spawning taking place in the late Austral winter up to mid December.

[4] Platycephalus bassensis is taken by commercial trawlers and Danish seiners offshore as well as by gillnet, beach seine and hook and line inshore.

although the catch is not large It is a popular recreational quarry for anglers in estuarine and sheltered inshore waters in Victoria and Tasmania.