In Australia, this species is found in a range of habitats including dry forest/woodland and grassland/shrubland (but rarely in wet forests), near streams and swamps on rocks and trees, or in crevices in rocks and hollow tree trunks. It also inhabits woodlands on hills and plains often far from water. It is also found in anthropogenic environments, including letterboxes, toilet bowls and cisterns, bathrooms, and meter boxes. It is commonly kept as a pet within Australia and overseas, a use which is now regulated at the national level in Australia. Breeding occurs from November to February. Males call near water and often downpipes. Clumps of 200–2,000 eggs are deposited on the surface of still water. The spawn sinks within 24 hours. Development is usually completed in 6 weeks, and larvae are free-swimming. In New Guinea, it occurs in open, monsoon forests, and around human habitation such as rural gardens and houses in townships. It commonly uses tree hollows in the Darwin area (Reynolds 2005). It breeds in temporarily flooded ponds and ditches.

This species occurs in Australia and New Guinea. In Australia, it is distributed widely from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, through most of the Northern Territory, all of Queensland, extending southwards to the Darling River in northern and central New South Wales and the northeast corner of South Australia. It also occurs on offshore islands in the Northern Territory (Bathhurst, Melville and Groote) and Queensland (Torres Strait Islands). In New Guinea this species is known from widely scattered locations in the northern and southern lowlands and from the Vogelkop Peninsula, occurring in both Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. In New Guinea it lives in lowlands below 200 m asl.

Conservation Measures In-Place
This species occurs in several protected areas throughout its range. In Australia, restrictions on the pet industry are in place i.e., requiring to have a permit to keep frogs. It has been bred in captivity at some Australian zoos.

Conservation Needed
Regulations and protocols are needed to avoid the introduction of the amphibian chytrid fungus to New Guinea where it could impact this species and others. Harvest and/or trade management may be required in New Guinea.

Research Needed
In New Guinea, its distribution, ecological requirements and population status need to be documented, especially in relation to the impacts of wild harvest.