Since its debut as Dateline World at 8:00 pm on Friday 19 October 1984, it has focused largely on international events, often in developing or warring nations.

Dateline reporters have covered events including: the Iraq War, violence in East Timor (2006), the war in Afghanistan, global terror attacks, the rise of Islamic State, the European refugee crisis, the United States under Trump, Brexit, and pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.. From 1984 until 2015, an hour-long program featuring multiple stories was anchored by a studio host.

Dateline is the longest-running international current affairs program in Australia, celebrating its 40th year in 2024.

In December 2012, Yalda Hakim resigned from Dateline to join BBC World News, and was replaced by former CNN presenter Anjali Rao in February 2013.

Dateline's executive producers have included: Mike Carey (1999–2007), Peter Charley (2007–2014), and Bernadine Lim (2014–2018).