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 Byron Bay, accounting for 64.6% (3,630 people). This share was higher than Byron (A) (59.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 1,179 people and 14 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Byron Bay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Byron Bay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Byron (A) and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Byron Bay, with comparison markers for Byron (A).
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
93
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
93
1.7%
-0.3pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
164
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
164
2.9%
-0.7pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
805
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
805
14.3%
-1.8pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
324
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
324
5.8%
-0.5pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
3,630
% of total
64.6%
Change from 2016
+14.0pp
3,630
64.6%
+14.0pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
13
0.2%
0.0pp
Not Stated
2021 count
592
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
-10.7pp
592
10.5%
-10.7pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-6
-0.3pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
-10
-0.7pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+24
-1.8pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+20
-0.5pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+1,179
+14.0pp
Did Not Go To School
+5
0.0pp
Not Stated
-432
-10.7pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Byron Bay. Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Byron (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Byron (A)% | Count | % | Byron (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 93 | 1.7% | 1.9% | 99 | 2.0% | 2.6% | -6 | -0.3pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 164 | 2.9% | 3.6% | 174 | 3.6% | 4.6% | -10 | -0.7pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 805 | 14.3% | 17.3% | 781 | 16.1% | 20.5% | +24 | -1.8pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 324 | 5.8% | 6.3% | 304 | 6.3% | 7.1% | +20 | -0.5pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 3,630 | 64.6% | 59.9% | 2,451 | 50.6% | 50.7% | +1,179 | +14.0pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 13 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 8 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Not Stated | 592 | 10.5% | 10.7% | 1,024 | 21.2% | 14.4% | -432 | -10.7pp |
| Total | 5,621 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,841 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +780 | 0.0pp |