Education
Schooling
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.
Related topics
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.
Key insight
In 2021, Year 12 or Equivalent was the most common schooling level among residents aged 15 and over in Cairns (R), accounting for 52.6% (71,090 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (49%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 9,918 people and 3.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Cairns (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises schooling for Cairns (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairns (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Year 8 Or Below
Year 9 Or Equivalent
Year 10 Or Equivalent
Year 11 Or Equivalent
Year 12 Or Equivalent
Did Not Go To School
Not Stated
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-541
-0.7pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
+705
+0.1pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+470
-1.3pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+233
-0.5pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+9,918
+3.6pp
Did Not Go To School
+79
0.0pp
Not Stated
-562
-1.2pp
Data table
Schooling for Cairns (R). Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 4,321 | 3.2% | 4.3% | 4,862 | 3.9% | 5.3% | -541 | -0.7pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 6,270 | 4.6% | 5.4% | 5,565 | 4.5% | 5.5% | +705 | +0.1pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 27,377 | 20.3% | 24.2% | 26,907 | 21.6% | 25.6% | +470 | -1.3pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 11,704 | 8.7% | 8.2% | 11,471 | 9.2% | 8.5% | +233 | -0.5pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 71,090 | 52.6% | 49.0% | 61,172 | 49.0% | 44.6% | +9,918 | +3.6pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 1,002 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 923 | 0.7% | 0.4% | +79 | 0.0pp |
| Not Stated | 13,338 | 9.9% | 8.5% | 13,900 | 11.1% | 10.2% | -562 | -1.2pp |
| Total | 135,102 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 124,800 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,302 | 0.0pp |