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 Edmonton, accounting for 46.4% (4,018 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (52.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 611 people and 3.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Edmonton - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Edmonton in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Edmonton, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
343
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
343
4.0%
-0.7pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
474
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
474
5.5%
-0.2pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
2,023
% of total
23.4%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
2,023
23.4%
-2.6pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
802
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
802
9.3%
-1.4pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
4,018
% of total
46.4%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
4,018
46.4%
+3.2pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
74
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
74
0.9%
-0.1pp
Not Stated
2021 count
920
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
920
10.6%
+1.9pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-25
-0.7pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
+21
-0.2pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
-26
-2.6pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
-45
-1.4pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+611
+3.2pp
Did Not Go To School
-5
-0.1pp
Not Stated
+236
+1.9pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Edmonton. Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 343 | 4.0% | 3.2% | 368 | 4.7% | 3.9% | -25 | -0.7pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 474 | 5.5% | 4.6% | 453 | 5.7% | 4.5% | +21 | -0.2pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 2,023 | 23.4% | 20.3% | 2,049 | 26.0% | 21.6% | -26 | -2.6pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 802 | 9.3% | 8.7% | 847 | 10.7% | 9.2% | -45 | -1.4pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 4,018 | 46.4% | 52.6% | 3,407 | 43.2% | 49.0% | +611 | +3.2pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 74 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 79 | 1.0% | 0.7% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Not Stated | 920 | 10.6% | 9.9% | 684 | 8.7% | 11.1% | +236 | +1.9pp |
| Total | 8,654 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,887 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +767 | 0.0pp |