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 Sunshine West, accounting for 53.3% (8,243 people). This share was lower than Brimbank (C) (55.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 772 people and 4.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Sunshine West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Sunshine West 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 Sunshine West, with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
1,720
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
1,720
11.1%
-1.9pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
777
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
777
5.0%
-0.6pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
1,636
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,636
10.6%
-0.8pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
1,169
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,169
7.6%
-0.3pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
8,243
% of total
53.3%
Change from 2016
+4.5pp
8,243
53.3%
+4.5pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
712
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
712
4.6%
+0.3pp
Not Stated
2021 count
1,202
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,202
7.8%
-1.1pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-268
-1.9pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
-83
-0.6pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
-110
-0.8pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
-44
-0.3pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+772
+4.5pp
Did Not Go To School
+49
+0.3pp
Not Stated
-162
-1.1pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Sunshine West. 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 | 1,720 | 11.1% | 8.6% | 1,988 | 13.0% | 9.7% | -268 | -1.9pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 777 | 5.0% | 5.2% | 860 | 5.6% | 5.4% | -83 | -0.6pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 1,636 | 10.6% | 10.7% | 1,746 | 11.4% | 11.6% | -110 | -0.8pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 1,169 | 7.6% | 8.6% | 1,213 | 7.9% | 9.2% | -44 | -0.3pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 8,243 | 53.3% | 55.7% | 7,471 | 48.8% | 52.3% | +772 | +4.5pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 712 | 4.6% | 3.8% | 663 | 4.3% | 3.3% | +49 | +0.3pp |
| Not Stated | 1,202 | 7.8% | 7.3% | 1,364 | 8.9% | 8.5% | -162 | -1.1pp |
| Total | 15,459 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15,305 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +154 | 0.0pp |