Polystichum australiense, commonly known as the harsh shield fern is a plant found in New South Wales, Australia.

Sori are circular with a brown indusium, the stem is moderately scaly.

Fronds are tough, having ultimate segments with distinctly aristate margins.

Seen in warmer sites, unlike the related Polystichum proliferum which usually prefers mountain habitats.

The type specimen was collected at Garie Beach, and first appeared in a botanic publication in 1954, authored by Mary Tindale.