Federal and state leaders want every child in Australia to attend school, particularly if it is to lift education standards in indigenous communities.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has made indigenous issues a standing item for all Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meetings under his leadership.
He said there was great enthusiasm among premiers and chief ministers at his first COAG meeting on Friday for more work to reach much better practical outcomes, particularly with getting children to school every day.
"We are absolutely agreed that it is essential that every Australian child goes to school," Mr Abbott said.
"Not just occasionally, not just when its suits the child or the child's parents, but every day."
Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles said it was "refreshing" to see the prime minister express such an interest in this area.
"There is no doubt in the Northern Territory that our school attendance and enrolment figures are appalling," Mr Giles said.
He said all efforts must be put into reaching a 100 per cent target.
"In the development of Northern Australia in particular, we need to make sure we have a solid workforce for the future, and on current projections we don't have that solid workforce coming through," he said.
Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings said there was a wide discussion on the need for solutions for particular communities.
"I would also advocate that there is a role here for the NBN (national broadband network) to be able to expand opportunities for children around the country and particular in remote parts of Tasmania," she said.
She said the NBN should be available for children in schools and at home.
Mr Abbott said different areas would need different ways to combat truancy.
"In some places truancy officers might be the best way forward, in other places maybe a community-based scheme," he said.
He said there were already forms of income management when families don't consistently send their children to school, an initiative that was put in place by the former Labor government with the support from the coalition.
