In the early 1990's, QUESTnet arose as an informal collaboration forum of the universities in Queensland for network developments. The universities had to develop the knowledge and skills of own staff in these technologies. Establishing data communication networks across large distances was a relatively new field of endeavour. A series of technical meetings, forums and workshops were arranged to train University staff. The staff development forums became the annual 'QUESTnet Winter Workshop' which, in turn, grew into the QUESTnet into the QUESTnet Annual Conference, run since 1994. QUESTnet became the informal umbrella group for the development of inter-University networks during the 1990's.
Thea earliest records of a QUESTnet meeting are dated 13 May 1993. Alan Coulter (UQ) was chair and the meeting hosted a visit from Geoff Huston who had been recently appointed General Manager of AARNet. Topics of the day included rationalisation of microwave communication links, the relationship between QUESTnet and AARNet, planning for the Winter Workshop (QUESTnet'93) and the establishment of 'SERT' - the Australian Security Emergency Response Team. A draft agenda for the 1993 conference held topics such as:
By 1999, the development, operation and maintenance of the intra-university networks had become a major activity and the need for development of staff knowledge and skills widened dramatically with the Universities still taking a lead in developing advanced network applications. After some consideration the Universities decided to split the ICT network function of QUESTnet into a separate organisation. The network development was held within the University framework under the banner of Queensland Regional Network Organisation (QRNO). In July 2001 QUESTnet was set up as a separate group with its own constitution and finances to expand the role of staff development and develop other areas of common interest.
The annual QUESTnet conference developed into one of the premier ICT conferences in Australia for professionals working in the Higher Education and Research sector. It attracts in excess of 250 ICT practitioners and vendors from across Australia, who are engaged in ICT infrastructure solutions in the higher education and research sector. Like the earlier workshops, each conference is organised by one of the Universities and is run on a break-even basis. It always focuses on staff development, with hands-on workshops, as well as papers from invited overseas and local speakers. The conference is strongly supported by the University IT sector in Australia, AARNet Pty Ltd (APL), the company that operates Australia's Academic and Research Network (AARNet), and the ICT industry which assist with sponsorships to help keep the costs down.
| Year | Host | Location | Theme |
| 1994 | USQ | USQ, Toowoomba | Networking Queensland's Information Services |
| 1995 | Bond | Bond University, Robina | Networkshop |
| 1996 | JCU | JCU, Townsville | The Conference for Network Managers and Practitioners |
| 1997 | Griffith | Griffith University, Nathan | Networking about Networking - the National Conference for Information and Networking Professionals |
| 1998 | CQU | Capricorn International Resort, Yeppoon | Networking for Flexible Delivery |
| 1999 | QUT | Hyatt Coolum, Coolum Beach | The Business of Networking |
| 2000 | USQ | USQ, Toowoomba | Telecommunications Across the Range |
| 2001 | UQ | Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast | A Network Odyssey |
| 2002 | SCU | Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast | Networks Across Borders |
| 2003 | Griffith | Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast | Securing the Future |
| 2004 | JCU | Cairns International Hotel, Cairns | Networking Far and Wide |
| 2005 | ACU | Hyatt Coolum, Coolum Beach | Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Building IT, Managing IT and Extending IT |
| 2006 | USC | Hyatt Coolum, Coolum Beach | Networking for e-Research: Communication, Collaboration and Regional Engagement |
| 2007 | CQU | Cairns International Hotel, Cairns | Networking on the Horizon |
| 2008 | QUT | Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast | Social Engineering your Network |
| 2009 | USQ | Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast | Leveraging Our Investment |
| 2010 | Griffith | Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast | 2010: The Network Makes Contact |
| 2011 | UQ | Jupiter's Hotel & Casino, Gold Coast | Preparing for the Next Big Wave |
| 2012 | JCU | Pullman Reef Hotel, Cairns | To infinity and beyond - Ubiquitous communications |
| 2013 | ACU | Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast | Clouds: In our way or enabling change? |
| 2014 | QUT | Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre | Transforming Outcomes for the Real World |
| 2015 | Griffith | Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre | Create, Connect, Consume (combined with THETA Conference) |
| 2016 | UQ | Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast | Technology supporting innovation |
| 2018 | JCU | Pullman Reef Hotel, Cairns | Technology for Smart Futures |
| 2021 | QUT | Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove | Enable, Protect & Together |
In addition to holding the annual conference, QUESTnet has run a range of workshops. These typically acted as a forum to share and refine best practices in identified priority areas. The usual approach was to have member representatives outline their approach to and experiences with a particular topic e.g. internet volume measuring and charging; or upgrading major software platforms etc.