This species occurs in eucalypt and acacia-dominated open woodlands, semi-arid tall shrublands, dry sclerophyll forests, and Araucaria notophyll vine forests (Duncan et al. 1999). It is found in subterranean roosts, tree hollows, and abandoned buildings. Colonies range from a few individuals to up to ca 50 animals (Freeman and Pennay 2001). Generation length is likely to be around four to six years (Woinarski et al. 2014, Pacifici et al. 2013).

This species is found in a broad arc in semi-arid habitats from coastal central Queensland, through the central- and south-west of the state and in drier habitats of inland south-eastern Queensland. The range of the species continues through central and western New South Wales and north-eastern South Australia (Ford et al. 2008, Woinarski et al. 2014). In Queensland, it primarily occurs in the Brigalow Belt Bioregion where there has been substantial vegetation loss (Woinarski et al. 2014).