Education
Highest level of schooling
About this topic
Highest level of schooling shows the highest year of primary or secondary school completed by people aged 15 years and over. It describes school attainment rather than post-school qualifications.
This topic helps indicate educational attainment and can support analysis of access to employment, training, and services. It is best read with qualifications and other socio-economic indicators, because school completion alone does not show a person's full skill profile.
Interpretation notes
- This records the highest year of primary or secondary school completed by people aged 15 years and over.
- It is not a measure of post-school qualifications, so it should be read with non-school qualifications for full attainment.
Related topics
Key insight
In 2021, Year 12 or Equivalent was the most common schooling level among residents aged 15 and over in Ballina, accounting for 38.5% (3,222 people). This share was lower than Ballina (A) (49.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 3,222 people and 38.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Ballina - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Ballina in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ballina, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
497
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
+5.9pp
497
5.9%
+5.9pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
769
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
+9.2pp
769
9.2%
+9.2pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
2,445
% of total
29.2%
Change from 2016
-70.8pp
2,445
29.2%
-70.8pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
565
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+6.8pp
565
6.8%
+6.8pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
3,222
% of total
38.5%
Change from 2016
+38.5pp
3,222
38.5%
+38.5pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
52
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
52
0.6%
+0.6pp
Not Stated
2021 count
818
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+9.8pp
818
9.8%
+9.8pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
+497
+5.9pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
+769
+9.2pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+2,442
-70.8pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+565
+6.8pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+3,222
+38.5pp
Did Not Go To School
+52
+0.6pp
Not Stated
+818
+9.8pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Ballina. Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Ballina (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Ballina (A)% | Count | % | Ballina (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 497 | 5.9% | 3.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 4.6% | +497 | +5.9pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 769 | 9.2% | 6.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 7.4% | +769 | +9.2pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 2,445 | 29.2% | 27.0% | 3 | 100.0% | 28.6% | +2,442 | -70.8pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 565 | 6.8% | 6.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 6.1% | +565 | +6.8pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 3,222 | 38.5% | 49.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 43.2% | +3,222 | +38.5pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 52 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.3% | +52 | +0.6pp |
| Not Stated | 818 | 9.8% | 6.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 9.9% | +818 | +9.8pp |
| Total | 8,368 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,365 | 0.0pp |