The Atherton Scrubwren is endemic to the Atherton Tablelands of north-eastern Queensland, Australia. It is found in the understorey of rainforest where it forages on or close to the ground where it feeds on a variety of insects.

The Large-billed Scrubwren only descends to the forest floor infrequently and usually forages in groups whereas the Atherton Scrubwrens are solitary or occur in pairs.