The Northern Brown Bandicoot is found in areas of tall grassland, shrubland, savanna and various forested habitats containing some grassy or open areas. It can be found in disturbed areas including suburban gardens (Gordon 2008). Females give birth to a litter of between one and seven young, with several litters born during the breeding season (Gordon 2008).

This species ranges through much of northern and eastern Australia, and occurs in the lowlands of southern and south-eastern New Guinea (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea). It ranges from sea level to 1,200 m asl. In Queensland, Australia its range has contracted from parts of inland pastoral country and it has undergone local contraction in distribution elsewhere due to the impacts of development, farming, and grazing (G. Gordon pers. comm.).

Northern Brown Bandicoots are present in several protected areas.