Breeds from southern Chile (Andean foothill region from possibly Concepción south to Aisén, also from Magallanes) and south-western Argentina (foothills in southern Neuquén south to Chubut, and in Santa Cruz) south to Tierra del Fuego.
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Austral Canastero (Asthenes anthoides) [XC634531]
by Diego Alejandro Villagran Sandoval from Saavedra, Caut\u00edn, Araucan\u00eda, Chile (uncertain)
Austral Canastero (Asthenes anthoides) [XC50699]
by Bernabe Lopez-Lanus from PN Lanin, Paso Tromen, Nuequen, Argentina (song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Considered by some to form a superspecies with Streak-backed Canastero (Asthenes wyatti) and Puna Canastero (Asthenes sclateri). "punensis group" of Puna Canastero (Asthenes sclateri) previously considered conspecific. Plumage similarities with Hudson's Canastero (Asthenes hudsoni) have suggested to some authors that the two are sister-taxa.