Officers will be hitting known hot spots such as skate parks and shopping centres, seeking to better inform the public about their responsibilities regarding school attendance.

Acting Sergeant and community safety officer Ben Walsh said Lake Illawarra Police worked in partnership with the Department of Education to address truancy on a daily basis.

However, they also run several truancy operations each year, with such efforts taking place in the coming weeks.

Acting Sergeant Walsh said in most cases those aged 5 to 17 in NSW were required to be enrolled in and attend school.

"Otherwise, you may be stopped and questioned," he said.

"In senior years, if leaving school grounds you must have a leave pass on you."

"[During operation days] we are getting quite a high number of truants," acting Sergeant Walsh said.

"Any persons picked up are referred back to the school principal for follow-up."

During operations police approached anyone aged 5 to 17, including those who were with their parents.

"It's reinforcing the message and we hand out a fact sheet to families," he said.

"We do get parents condoning it, such as those who say, 'it's their birthday', which is not a reasonable excuse.

"On average, we probably talk to 25 to 30 young people on a day of an operation.

"At least a third don't have a reasonable excuse for not being at school."

According to the NSW Department of Education and Communities, after year 10 and until they turn 17, students must be in school, or registered for home schooling; in approved education or training (eg TAFE, traineeship, apprenticeship); in full-time, paid employment (average 25 hours/week) or in a combination of work, education and/or training.

A department spokesperson said schools with below average attendance rates were required to develop strategies and plans to engage students.

"Where school-based strategies have not been successful in resolving attendance problems, home school liaison officers and Aboriginal student liaison officers work with schools, student and families to address issues that may be contributing to the problem," the spokesperson said.

A "relatively small number" of students stayed away from school without their parents knowing.

"Where, despite all intervention from the school and the Home School Liaison Program, parents are still not ensuring regular attendance of their child at school, the department can make an application for a compulsory schooling order in the Children's Court.

"In rare cases where this action in the Children's Court is unsuccessful, the department can prosecute parents in the local court, which can result in a fine."