Spiders are distinct from other insects in that they generally have eight legs instead of six, and their bodies are divided into two parts, rather than three. Likewise, they often contain organs that can produce and spin silk for making webs.

Australia is home to approximately 10,000 spider species, only 2,700 of which have been described. Several of Australia's spider species are highly venomous, including the Redback spider and the Funnel-web spider, both of which have been responsible for human fatalities in the past. Other spiders, like the Mouse spider and the White tail spider, while less venomous, can nonetheless inflict painful bites accompanied by nausea and malaise.

It is important to be familiar with Australia's most common spider species and how to treat their bites. For this reason, the chart included below provides information on how to identify nine of Australia's most common spider species.

Our charts can be downloaded and printed in A2 size or smaller.

Printable PDF

Other Resources

If you are interested in learning more about Australia's impressive array of spider species, check out the following articles in our Resource Library:

• Spider Bite - Identify & Treat
• Redback Spider Bite
• Everything You Need to Know About the White Tail Spider
• The Huntsman Spider: Australia's Scariest Arachnid
• Wolf Spiders: The Stealthy Hunters Lurking in Your Backyard
• Trapdoor Spiders: The Tunnel-building Arachnid
• Spider Facts: The Black House Spider
• Spider Facts: The Tarantula
• The Funnel-web Spider: Australia's Most Dangerous Arachnid
• Spider Facts: The Daddy-Long-Legs Spider
• Spider Facts: The Brown Recluse Spider
• Spider Facts: The Mouse Spider
• Spider Facts: The Garden Orb Weaving Spider