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 Smithfield (NSW) (part), accounting for 46.2% (4,634 people). This share was lower than Fairfield (C) (51.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 4,571 people and 19.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Smithfield (NSW) (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Smithfield (NSW) (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Smithfield (NSW) (part), with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
1,087
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
1,087
10.8%
+1.6pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
662
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
662
6.6%
-4.3pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
1,569
% of total
15.7%
Change from 2016
-25.7pp
1,569
15.7%
-25.7pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
423
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
423
4.2%
-1.2pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
4,634
% of total
46.2%
Change from 2016
+19.8pp
4,634
46.2%
+19.8pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
849
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
+8.5pp
849
8.5%
+8.5pp
Not Stated
2021 count
801
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
801
8.0%
+1.3pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
+1,065
+1.6pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
+636
-4.3pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+1,470
-25.7pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+410
-1.2pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+4,571
+19.8pp
Did Not Go To School
+849
+8.5pp
Not Stated
+785
+1.3pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Smithfield (NSW) (part). Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 1,087 | 10.8% | 9.9% | 22 | 9.2% | 10.7% | +1,065 | +1.6pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 662 | 6.6% | 5.3% | 26 | 10.9% | 5.5% | +636 | -4.3pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 1,569 | 15.7% | 13.6% | 99 | 41.4% | 15.8% | +1,470 | -25.7pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 423 | 4.2% | 4.0% | 13 | 5.4% | 4.2% | +410 | -1.2pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 4,634 | 46.2% | 51.4% | 63 | 26.4% | 50.0% | +4,571 | +19.8pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 849 | 8.5% | 8.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 6.9% | +849 | +8.5pp |
| Not Stated | 801 | 8.0% | 7.5% | 16 | 6.7% | 7.0% | +785 | +1.3pp |
| Total | 10,025 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 239 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,786 | 0.0pp |