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 Cairnlea, accounting for 63.9% (5,181 people). This share was higher than Brimbank (C) (55.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 538 people and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Cairnlea - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Cairnlea in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brimbank (C) and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairnlea, with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
561
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
561
6.9%
-0.2pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
349
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
349
4.3%
0.0pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
738
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
738
9.1%
-0.5pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
597
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
597
7.4%
-0.6pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
5,181
% of total
63.9%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
5,181
63.9%
+1.7pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
329
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
329
4.1%
+0.7pp
Not Stated
2021 count
354
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
354
4.4%
-1.0pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
+32
-0.2pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
+27
0.0pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+21
-0.5pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+3
-0.6pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+538
+1.7pp
Did Not Go To School
+77
+0.7pp
Not Stated
-52
-1.0pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Cairnlea. Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brimbank (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Brimbank (C)% | Count | % | Brimbank (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 561 | 6.9% | 8.6% | 529 | 7.1% | 9.7% | +32 | -0.2pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 349 | 4.3% | 5.2% | 322 | 4.3% | 5.4% | +27 | 0.0pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 738 | 9.1% | 10.7% | 717 | 9.6% | 11.6% | +21 | -0.5pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 597 | 7.4% | 8.6% | 594 | 8.0% | 9.2% | +3 | -0.6pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 5,181 | 63.9% | 55.7% | 4,643 | 62.2% | 52.3% | +538 | +1.7pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 329 | 4.1% | 3.8% | 252 | 3.4% | 3.3% | +77 | +0.7pp |
| Not Stated | 354 | 4.4% | 7.3% | 406 | 5.4% | 8.5% | -52 | -1.0pp |
| Total | 8,109 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,463 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +646 | 0.0pp |