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) [XC367263]
by Sebasti\u00e1n Horacio Alvarado from Lago Sarmiento - Porter\u00eda PN Torres del paine, Chile (call)
Austral Canastero (Asthenes anthoides) [XC59848]
by Andrew Spencer from Seno Otway, XII Region, Chile (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.