A new genus of pseudoscorpions of the family Chernetidae, Austinochernes, is described for two new Australian species, A. andrewaustini (type species) from South Australia and Victoria, and A. zigzag from Tasmania. They are most similar to species of the Neotropical genus PseudopilanusBeier, 1957 in the possession of a spine-like seta on the prolateral face of the chelal hand at the base of the fingers, but differ by the presence of acuminate setae on the male pedipalpal trochanter. The suspected relationship between Austinochernes and Pseudopilanus suggests that their distribution is the result of Gondwanan vicariance.