The Universities Australia (UA) conference held in late February, attracted vice-chancellors from institutions such as the Australian National University, the University of Technology Sydney and Western Sydney University. Loading It was also attended by former High Court judge Michael Kirby, federal Labor education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek, and federal Education Minister Dan Tehan, who praised universities for their response. Delegates were informed of the positive test on Thursday. The two-week period during which patients develop symptoms, and for which delegates would have to isolate, ends on Friday. In an email to those who attended, Universities Australia said health authorities had not been able to identify the source of the infection. "It is possible someone at the conference may have been the source," it said.

"Universities Australia is working closely with the health authorities, and, as a precaution, we are advising delegates to be alert for any of the symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, sore throat, headache or muscle aches." The delegate returned home on the final day of the conference. But a UA spokesman said authorities had not been able to tell organisers which state the person lived in. ACT Health said they were not able to release that information. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Mr Tehan, who gave a speech to the conference and attended a dinner event, said he had sought medical advice after learning about the potential case. "I have sought medical advice and that medical advice is clear – as it is now 14 days since the event, and as I have not developed symptoms during this period, there is no need to self-isolate and there is no further actions which I need to take," he said in a statement.

ANU vice-chancellor Brian Schmidt tested negative. "I've been at home this week with a runny nose, mild fever and headache, and a cough - not symptoms you want to be wandering around campus with right now," he wrote in his blog. Loading "You'll be glad to know that it is just a common cold. And yes, I was tested for COVID-19 as well." A student from La Trobe tested positive on Thursday after attending classes on campus, as did a woman in her 30s who had spent a day at the University of Tasmania's library on Monday. The woman had travelled from South America the day before. A letter from the University of Tasmania to its students said when there was local transmission of coronavirus on the island, the university would move to online delivery as much as possible.