The elaphrosaur, whose name means "light-footed lizard", was related to the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Velociraptor.
The five-centimetre (two-inch) vertebrae fossil was discovered during a dig near Cape Otway in Victoria in 2015.
It is the first elaphrosaur bone ever to be found in Australia.
The fossil was discovered by volunteer Jessica Parker, who was taking part in an annual dig led by Melbourne Museum.
At the time, it was thought to be from a flying reptile called a pterosaur. But when palaeontologists at Swinburne University in Melbourne studied the fossil further, they realised it was a delicately-built dinosaur.
"Elaphrosaurs had long necks, stumpy arms with small hands, and relatively lightly-built bodies," Dr Stephen Poropat said.
The fossil indicated the animal was about two metres (6.5ft) long. However, other fossils previously found in Tanzania, China and Argentina show that they could reach up to six metres in length.
Adult elaphrosaurs probably didn't eat much meat, Dr Poropat said.
"As dinosaurs go, they were rather bizarre. The few known skulls of elaphrosaurs show that the youngsters had teeth, but that the adults lost their teeth and replaced them with a horny beak. We don't know if this is true for the [Australian] elaphrosaur yet - but we might find out if we ever discover a skull," he said.
Cape Otway, where the fossil was located, is a rich area for discoveries. About a dozen animals and five dinosaur species have been identified there, according to ABC News. Those discovered include a plant-eating dinosaur found in 2018.
Latest Stories
-
Anti-LGBTQI+ Bill will bring economic disaster to Ghana if signed into law – Prof. Diamond
8 mins -
Akufo-Addo, Bagbin impasse over Anti- LGBTQI+ Bill could harm economy – Franklin Cudjoe
12 mins -
Adamus accused of defying court-directed Interim Management Committee
28 mins -
NPP running mate saga: Frontrunners will be disappointed – John Boadu
44 mins -
As power crisis worsens, calls for truce between ECG and PURC intensify
44 mins -
Unstable exchange rate affects claims payment – Ghana Insurers Association
51 mins -
Bank of Africa Ghana donates to Chief Imam, hosts Moroccan community to mark Ramadan activities
1 hour -
We’re winning 2024 polls hands down – PNC declares
1 hour -
Zen Petroleum opens 50th fuel retail station
1 hour -
Dumsor contributed to NPP’s 2016 victory – Prof Agyeman-Duah
1 hour -
Police link prominent SA businessman to rapper AKA’s murder
1 hour -
Richard Sky’s case must also be thrown out – Sam George
2 hours -
John Kumah’s one-week observance comes off today
2 hours -
WAEC opens online registration for BECE, WASSCE, and G/ABCE candidates
2 hours -
NDC’s allegations of bias against Supreme Court unwarranted, baseless – AG
2 hours