From
Biosecurity Fact Sheet
Jack Jumper Ants
Current as at October 2010
https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/jackjumperfactsheet.pdf"
The natural habitat of jack jumper ants is
woodland and open forest in south-eastern
Australia, including Tasmania. They also occur
in open habitats, including pastures, gardens
and lawns that have not been much cultivated
and are near light bush, such as around new
housing. They prefer fine gravel and sandy soil.
They like to forage for food near eucalypts,
wattles and the native understorey bushes
associated with those trees. They collect small
insects, honeydew from sap-sucking bugs and
nectar to take back to their nest where it is fed
to ant grubs.
"
So, perhaps less common in rain forest areas?