Education
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 Gold Coast (C), accounting for 57.3% (295,039 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (49%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 58,810 people and 5.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Gold Coast (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises schooling for Gold Coast (C) 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 Gold Coast (C), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
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
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-628
-0.4pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
+1,836
-0.2pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+3,296
-1.9pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+2,544
-0.6pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+58,810
+5.4pp
Did Not Go To School
+385
+0.1pp
Not Stated
-5,959
-2.3pp
Data table
Schooling for Gold Coast (C). 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 | 13,155 | 2.6% | 4.3% | 13,783 | 3.0% | 5.3% | -628 | -0.4pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 23,509 | 4.6% | 5.4% | 21,673 | 4.8% | 5.5% | +1,836 | -0.2pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 103,425 | 20.1% | 24.2% | 100,129 | 22.0% | 25.6% | +3,296 | -1.9pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 41,969 | 8.1% | 8.2% | 39,425 | 8.7% | 8.5% | +2,544 | -0.6pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 295,039 | 57.3% | 49.0% | 236,229 | 51.9% | 44.6% | +58,810 | +5.4pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 1,877 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 1,492 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +385 | +0.1pp |
| Not Stated | 36,179 | 7.0% | 8.5% | 42,138 | 9.3% | 10.2% | -5,959 | -2.3pp |
| Total | 515,153 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 454,869 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +60,284 | 0.0pp |