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 10 or Equivalent was the most common schooling level among residents aged 15 and over in Cowra (A), accounting for 35.2% (3,581 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (28.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 504 people and 4.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Cowra (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Cowra (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 Cowra (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
609
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
609
6.0%
-2.2pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
941
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
941
9.3%
-1.5pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
3,581
% of total
35.2%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
3,581
35.2%
+0.9pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
598
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
598
5.9%
0.0pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
3,390
% of total
33.4%
Change from 2016
+4.3pp
3,390
33.4%
+4.3pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
30
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
30
0.3%
-0.1pp
Not Stated
2021 count
1,011
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,011
10.0%
-1.3pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-204
-2.2pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
-135
-1.5pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+183
+0.9pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+12
0.0pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+504
+4.3pp
Did Not Go To School
-9
-0.1pp
Not Stated
-111
-1.3pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Cowra (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 | 609 | 6.0% | 4.3% | 813 | 8.2% | 5.4% | -204 | -2.2pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 941 | 9.3% | 7.3% | 1,076 | 10.8% | 8.3% | -135 | -1.5pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 3,581 | 35.2% | 28.7% | 3,398 | 34.3% | 29.9% | +183 | +0.9pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 598 | 5.9% | 6.7% | 586 | 5.9% | 6.4% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 3,390 | 33.4% | 44.5% | 2,886 | 29.1% | 39.2% | +504 | +4.3pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 30 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 39 | 0.4% | 0.4% | -9 | -0.1pp |
| Not Stated | 1,011 | 10.0% | 8.1% | 1,122 | 11.3% | 10.2% | -111 | -1.3pp |
| Total | 10,160 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,920 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +240 | 0.0pp |