The university's current tutorial attendance requirements range from zero to 100 per cent.

The new rule has been welcomed by some academics who have been concerned about a drop in student attendance.

The reasons for the decline are varied but include the increased reliance on online teaching through to the inability of students to find a park at Callaghan campus.

Others, however, fear the requirement will reduce the ability of students to juggle work, family and study responsibilities.

In an email to staff, vice chancellor Alex Zelinsky said there was strong evidence linking student attendance and academic performance.

"Many of you have expressed concern to me around students failing to attend vital teaching sessions ... to respond to your concerns regarding student attendance, I have asked members of my team to investigate how we can bring in a compulsory requirement for tutorials, seminars, lab sessions and other small group teaching activities. It is these sessions that offer our students valuable opportunities to engage and learn through doing and where we, as a university, make a significant investment in terms of providing lab and studio facilities," Professor Zelinsky wrote.

Under the new rules, students who do not meet the 80 per cent attendance requirement will not be eligible to sit course exams.

The university will introduce mobile phone software that can record student attendance.

An online search found tutorial attendance requirements vary widely between universities and courses. Some do not specify an attendance requirement, but most require students to attend between 75 and 80 per cent of tutorials.

Monash University has a 100 per cent attendance requirement.

Vice-president of the National Tertiary Education Union's Newcastle branch (academic) Amanda Wilson said the union did not have a formal position on the new attendance requirement.

"There are pros and cons - we definitely wouldn't want it to be a punitive measure towards students and we also don't want to create more work for staff," she said.

"There needs to be more discussion so it can result in a positive outcome for everyone."

First-year law student and Newcastle University Student Association representative Tyler Bridges does not support the plan.

"Parents, carers, and people with busy lifestyles cannot be expected to alter their lives to fit specific class times," she said.

"Most people pursue a degree to become more employable, but they often have other commitments."

Ms Bridges' current classes already require 80 per cent attendance, which she said was appropriate given the degree's expectations. However, she does not believe the benchmark would work across the board.

"I don't think it's been thought through properly; it's not a one size fits all solution and implementing 80 per cent attendance for every degree will not work," she said.

She also highlighted the difficulties of a classmate whose tutorial attendance had not been recorded correctly.

"She was 100 per cent there in class but for some reason it wasn't recorded properly. Mistakes happen and students shouldn't have to face the threat of failing a class over it."

She also said there were significant differences in expectations between faculties and degrees.

"I have friends studying in the creative industries. It's an area that I think will suffer from compulsory attendance," she said.

"There's a massive problem in terms of understanding these less conventional areas of study - I don't think our university has a solid grasp on the creative industries."

In addition to improving students' learning outcomes Professor Zelinsky said he hoped the attendance requirement would also increase the number of students on campus.

"Higher attendance will also help us create a more vibrant and active on-campus community which is a real focus for us," Professor Zelinsky said.

"We want our students to experience a campus life that is diverse, inclusive and connected. That sense of belonging is a powerful motivator for university students."