The conference was held at the National Convention Centre from February 25 to 27.

Federal MPs Dan Tehan and Tanya Plibersek spoke at the event, as well as senior public servants and heads of Canberra's universities.

The person returned to their home state once the conference finished and came down with symptoms on March 1 - three days after the conference ended.

The patient later tested positive for the virus.

The attendee is not connected with the ACT's first case of coronavirus confirmed on Thursday.

Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson said health authorities had not yet been able to identify the source of the person's infection.

"As the university sector has done throughout COVID-19, we have adhered meticulously to the advice of medical authorities and will continue to do so," she said.

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"I appreciate the content of the email is likely to cause concern among those who attended our event.

"However, we are committed to sharing accurate, timely information with our community so that they are fully informed and can take appropriate action if they feel unwell."

Anyone who attended the conference has been advised to watch out for symptoms until March 13.