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 10 or Equivalent was the most common schooling level among residents aged 15 and over in Cessnock (C), accounting for 34.4% (17,454 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (28.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 4,583 people and 5.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Cessnock (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises schooling for Cessnock (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cessnock (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
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
-258
-1.4pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
+73
-1.4pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+1,989
-0.6pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+819
+0.6pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+4,583
+5.4pp
Did Not Go To School
+64
+0.1pp
Not Stated
-653
-2.8pp
Data table
Schooling for Cessnock (C). Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 2,512 | 4.9% | 4.5% | 2,770 | 6.3% | 5.6% | -258 | -1.4pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 5,237 | 10.3% | 8.1% | 5,164 | 11.7% | 9.0% | +73 | -1.4pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 17,454 | 34.4% | 28.6% | 15,465 | 35.0% | 29.8% | +1,989 | -0.6pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 4,186 | 8.2% | 7.4% | 3,367 | 7.6% | 7.2% | +819 | +0.6pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 16,717 | 32.9% | 43.0% | 12,134 | 27.5% | 38.0% | +4,583 | +5.4pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 178 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 114 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +64 | +0.1pp |
| Not Stated | 4,514 | 8.9% | 7.9% | 5,167 | 11.7% | 10.0% | -653 | -2.8pp |
| Total | 50,798 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 44,181 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,617 | 0.0pp |