[1] It is the sole species in the genus Tasmanipatus[2] and is ovoviviparous.

[4][5] The generic name Tasmanipatus refers to the species' distribution in Tasmania, Australia.

The specific name barretti refers to Australian naturalist Charles Leslie Barrett, who was sent a specimen from St Marys.

[5] The dorsal surface is mauve with a darker median stripe.

[5] The common name refers to its size, which is large among the Peripatopsidae; however, much larger velvet worms exist in the Peripatidae (see Mongeperipatus solorzanoi).