The head and body length of T. billardierii is from 290-630 mm, with a tail length of 270-510 mm. Adults weigh between 1.8 and 12 kg. Known as the Red-bellied pademelon, the color of the upper parts is grayish brown tinged with olive and a yellowish hip stripe is often visible. The under parts are either rufous or orange. The tail is comparatively short , thick and sparsely haired.

Females have four mammae and a well-developed pouch. Litter size is usually one, but twins have been known to occur. Young inhabit the pouch 202 days and weaning occurs at about 4 months after leaving the pouch. Sexual maturity is at 14 to 15 months with a gestation period of 29.6 days. Embryonic diapause will occur with a gestation period of 28.5 days should the first young die.

Preferred habitats of T. billardierii are rainforest, sclerophyll forest, savannah, thick scrub, and grassland. The diet consists mainly of grass, but also includes leaves and shoots. In what may be a warning signal, the pademelon will thump the ground with its hind feet, a similar to behavior to that of rabbits.

The range of T. billardierii includes Australia: SE Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, islands in Bass Strait; probably survives only in Tasmania.