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 Hume (C), accounting for 58.5% (105,164 people). This share was lower than Greater Melbourne (66.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 29,330 people and 6.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Hume (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Hume (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hume (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
12,042
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
12,042
6.7%
-1.1pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
8,827
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
8,827
4.9%
-0.8pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
20,272
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
20,272
11.3%
-2.0pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
16,494
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
16,494
9.2%
-1.6pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
105,164
% of total
58.5%
Change from 2016
+6.3pp
105,164
58.5%
+6.3pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
5,526
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
5,526
3.1%
+0.5pp
Not Stated
2021 count
11,439
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
11,439
6.4%
-1.2pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
+663
-1.1pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
+570
-0.8pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+907
-2.0pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+843
-1.6pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+29,330
+6.3pp
Did Not Go To School
+1,797
+0.5pp
Not Stated
+328
-1.2pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Hume (C). Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 12,042 | 6.7% | 4.2% | 11,379 | 7.8% | 5.1% | +663 | -1.1pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 8,827 | 4.9% | 3.5% | 8,257 | 5.7% | 4.0% | +570 | -0.8pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 20,272 | 11.3% | 9.6% | 19,365 | 13.3% | 10.6% | +907 | -2.0pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 16,494 | 9.2% | 8.6% | 15,651 | 10.8% | 9.4% | +843 | -1.6pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 105,164 | 58.5% | 66.9% | 75,834 | 52.2% | 61.7% | +29,330 | +6.3pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 5,526 | 3.1% | 1.5% | 3,729 | 2.6% | 1.4% | +1,797 | +0.5pp |
| Not Stated | 11,439 | 6.4% | 5.6% | 11,111 | 7.6% | 7.7% | +328 | -1.2pp |
| Total | 179,764 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 145,326 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +34,438 | 0.0pp |