This species is generally found in rocky landscapes with outcrop that forms caves. It roosts in vertical cracks, caves, and similar artificial habitats such as vertical mine adits and horizontal shafts. It is often found roosting in small groups, however, colonies of up to 100 animals have been recorded (Jolly et al. 2008). Females generally give birth to a single young. They have a high fidelity to their roost site, even after capture (K.N. Armstrong unpublished obs.).

This species is common in the Pilbara and Kimberley bioregions (Commonwealth of Australia 2012) of Western Australia, with these two populations separated by the Great Sandy Desert. It is found in the Top End of the Northern Territory, being connected to the Kimberley by habitat in the Victoria Bonaparte bioregion, but is absent in the Sturt Plateau bioregion. It is present along the southern part of the Gulf of Carpentaria in the Gulf Coastal and Gulf Fall and Uplands bioregions. The edge of the range ends in the western half of the Gulf Plains and northern part of the Mount Isa Inlier bioregions where it is replaced by Taphozous troughtoni that ranges across northern Queensland. It is also present on several offshore islands in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Current taxonomic work is resolving the geographic boundary and areas of sympatry between T. georgianus and T. troughtoni (K.N. Armstrong and T.B. Reardon unpublished data).

This species occurs in numerous protected areas. Larger colonies in caves and disused mines should be given some consideration when mining interests coincide with this habitat.