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 Hay (NSW), accounting for 33.5% (643 people). This share was lower than Hay (A) (34.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 8 or Below, which decreased by 52 people and 2.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Hay (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Hay (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Hay (A) and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hay (NSW), with comparison markers for Hay (A).
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
135
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
135
7.0%
-2.4pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
207
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
207
10.8%
+1.4pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
499
% of total
26.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
499
26.0%
-0.2pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
178
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
178
9.3%
+0.2pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
643
% of total
33.5%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
643
33.5%
+3.1pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
13
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
13
0.7%
+0.5pp
Not Stated
2021 count
246
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
246
12.8%
-2.5pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-52
-2.4pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
+19
+1.4pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
-23
-0.2pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
-3
+0.2pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+37
+3.1pp
Did Not Go To School
+9
+0.5pp
Not Stated
-60
-2.5pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Hay (NSW). Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Hay (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Hay (A)% | Count | % | Hay (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 135 | 7.0% | 6.6% | 187 | 9.4% | 8.8% | -52 | -2.4pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 207 | 10.8% | 9.9% | 188 | 9.4% | 9.6% | +19 | +1.4pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 499 | 26.0% | 25.4% | 522 | 26.2% | 25.8% | -23 | -0.2pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 178 | 9.3% | 9.2% | 181 | 9.1% | 9.2% | -3 | +0.2pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 643 | 33.5% | 34.8% | 606 | 30.4% | 31.8% | +37 | +3.1pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 13 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 4 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +9 | +0.5pp |
| Not Stated | 246 | 12.8% | 13.4% | 306 | 15.3% | 14.6% | -60 | -2.5pp |
| Total | 1,921 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,994 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -73 | 0.0pp |