The program commenced broadcasting on 3 November 2008 as ABC News Breakfast on ABC2, with hosts Virginia Trioli, Barrie Cassidy (Monday-Thursday) and Joe O'Brien (Friday), sport presenter Paul Kennedy and weather presenter Vanessa O'Hanlon.

[3] In January 2014, ABC News Breakfast had an extensive makeover, launching a larger new and improved set with three different individual presenting areas.

[4] In May 2019, Trioli announced she will leave News Breakfast to replace Jon Faine as the Mornings presenter on ABC Radio Melbourne.

[5] In June 2019, the ABC announced that Lisa Millar would succeed Virginia Trioli, commencing on 19 August.

[11] In November 2024, Rowland announced that he will leave News Breakfast after almost 15 years so he can focus on other stuff within the ABC.

Current presenters who have been fill-in hosts or co-hosts of News Breakfast in recent times include Emma Rebellato, Stephanie Ferrier, Stephanie March, David Speers, Catherine Murphy, Margaret Paul, Iskhandar Razak and Daniel Ziffer.

Fill-in presenters for other roles: Other presenters who have filled in presenting News Breakfast in the past include Ali Moore, Jeremy Fernandez, Kumi Taguchi, Del Irani, Paul Kennedy, Emma Alberici, Hamish Macdonald, Bridget Brennan, Mary Gearin, James Glenday, Madeleine Morris, Zoe Daniel, John Barron, Georgie Tunny, Greg Jennett, Sara James, Beverley O'Connor, Fauziah Ibrahim, Tracee Hutchison, Frances Bell, Karina Carvalho, Melissa Clarke and Tamara Oudyn.

The program features a number of regular segments and guests which appear each morning discussing the latest news and politics.