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 Clarence Valley (A), accounting for 34.7% (15,253 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (44.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 2,624 people and 3.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Clarence Valley (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Clarence Valley (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Clarence Valley (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
2,181
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
2,181
5.0%
-1.8pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
3,930
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
3,930
8.9%
-1.1pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
14,604
% of total
33.2%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
14,604
33.2%
-1.4pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
3,039
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
3,039
6.9%
+0.7pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
15,253
% of total
34.7%
Change from 2016
+3.7pp
15,253
34.7%
+3.7pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
142
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
142
0.3%
0.0pp
Not Stated
2021 count
4,825
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
4,825
11.0%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-569
-1.8pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
-129
-1.1pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+516
-1.4pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+507
+0.7pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+2,624
+3.7pp
Did Not Go To School
+10
0.0pp
Not Stated
+292
-0.1pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Clarence Valley (A). 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 | 2,181 | 5.0% | 4.3% | 2,750 | 6.8% | 5.4% | -569 | -1.8pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 3,930 | 8.9% | 7.3% | 4,059 | 10.0% | 8.3% | -129 | -1.1pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 14,604 | 33.2% | 28.7% | 14,088 | 34.6% | 29.9% | +516 | -1.4pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 3,039 | 6.9% | 6.7% | 2,532 | 6.2% | 6.4% | +507 | +0.7pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 15,253 | 34.7% | 44.5% | 12,629 | 31.0% | 39.2% | +2,624 | +3.7pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 142 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 132 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +10 | 0.0pp |
| Not Stated | 4,825 | 11.0% | 8.1% | 4,533 | 11.1% | 10.2% | +292 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 43,974 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 40,723 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,251 | 0.0pp |