Australian short-necked turtles are valuable, the Australian short-necked turtles are extremely rare and were once mistaken for extinction. Judging from the appearance of the Australian short-necked turtle, it is very valuable, especially its color change. The color of the Australian short-necked turtle will vary with age and the environment it inhabits.

The young Australian short-necked turtle is generally gray on the back and creamy white and black on the bottom . Adult short-necked turtles range in color from tan in mud bogs to almost blackin sandy bogs. Breastplates also vary in color, ranging from yellow to brown, and sometimes even black. The edge of the shield is black, and the interior is yellow with black spots. The short-necked turtle has short feet covered with scale-like shields and claws on the toes. The neck is short, with an angled nodule. There is only a large shield above the head.