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 The Ponds, accounting for 76.6% (8,823 people). This share was higher than Blacktown (C) (61.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 2,702 people and 2.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
The Ponds - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for The Ponds in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Blacktown (C) and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for The Ponds, with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
193
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
193
1.7%
-0.5pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
348
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
348
3.0%
+0.4pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
1,226
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,226
10.6%
-1.3pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
451
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
451
3.9%
-0.6pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
8,823
% of total
76.6%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
8,823
76.6%
+2.8pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
84
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
84
0.7%
+0.1pp
Not Stated
2021 count
398
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
398
3.5%
-0.8pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
+10
-0.5pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
+129
+0.4pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+239
-1.3pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+74
-0.6pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+2,702
+2.8pp
Did Not Go To School
+32
+0.1pp
Not Stated
+41
-0.8pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for The Ponds. Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Blacktown (C)% | Count | % | Blacktown (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 193 | 1.7% | 3.7% | 183 | 2.2% | 4.8% | +10 | -0.5pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 348 | 3.0% | 4.8% | 219 | 2.6% | 5.8% | +129 | +0.4pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 1,226 | 10.6% | 16.6% | 987 | 11.9% | 20.0% | +239 | -1.3pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 451 | 3.9% | 5.2% | 377 | 4.5% | 5.8% | +74 | -0.6pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 8,823 | 76.6% | 61.6% | 6,121 | 73.8% | 55.3% | +2,702 | +2.8pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 84 | 0.7% | 1.3% | 52 | 0.6% | 1.2% | +32 | +0.1pp |
| Not Stated | 398 | 3.5% | 6.8% | 357 | 4.3% | 7.1% | +41 | -0.8pp |
| Total | 11,523 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,296 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,227 | 0.0pp |