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 Cairns (R), accounting for 54.7% (70,623 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (50.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 9,946 people and 4 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Cairns (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Cairns (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairns (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
4,081
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
4,081
3.2%
-0.8pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
4,646
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
4,646
3.6%
-0.2pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
25,527
% of total
19.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
25,527
19.8%
-1.3pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
10,070
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
10,070
7.8%
-0.4pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
70,623
% of total
54.7%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
70,623
54.7%
+4.0pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
1,000
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,000
0.8%
0.0pp
Not Stated
2021 count
13,244
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
13,244
10.3%
-1.1pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-678
-0.8pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
+92
-0.2pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+250
-1.3pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+262
-0.4pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+9,946
+4.0pp
Did Not Go To School
+80
0.0pp
Not Stated
-450
-1.1pp
Data table
Highest level of 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 | 4,081 | 3.2% | 4.3% | 4,759 | 4.0% | 5.5% | -678 | -0.8pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 4,646 | 3.6% | 4.5% | 4,554 | 3.8% | 4.9% | +92 | -0.2pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 25,527 | 19.8% | 23.9% | 25,277 | 21.1% | 25.3% | +250 | -1.3pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 10,070 | 7.8% | 7.4% | 9,808 | 8.2% | 7.6% | +262 | -0.4pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 70,623 | 54.7% | 50.7% | 60,677 | 50.7% | 46.0% | +9,946 | +4.0pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 1,000 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 920 | 0.8% | 0.4% | +80 | 0.0pp |
| Not Stated | 13,244 | 10.3% | 8.8% | 13,694 | 11.4% | 10.4% | -450 | -1.1pp |
| Total | 129,191 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 119,689 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,502 | 0.0pp |