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 Lewisham (NSW), accounting for 79.2% (2,715 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (77.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 2,040 people and 13.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Lewisham (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Lewisham (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Inner West (A) and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Lewisham (NSW), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
72
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
72
2.1%
+1.1pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
30
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
30
0.9%
-4.2pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
215
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-14.6pp
215
6.3%
-14.6pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
79
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
79
2.3%
-2.4pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
2,715
% of total
79.2%
Change from 2016
+13.9pp
2,715
79.2%
+13.9pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
27
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
27
0.8%
+0.8pp
Not Stated
2021 count
291
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
+5.5pp
291
8.5%
+5.5pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
+62
+1.1pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
-23
-4.2pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
-1
-14.6pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+30
-2.4pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+2,040
+13.9pp
Did Not Go To School
+27
+0.8pp
Not Stated
+260
+5.5pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Lewisham (NSW). Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Inner West (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Inner West (A)% | Count | % | Inner West (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 72 | 2.1% | 3.2% | 10 | 1.0% | 4.0% | +62 | +1.1pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 30 | 0.9% | 1.6% | 53 | 5.1% | 2.0% | -23 | -4.2pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 215 | 6.3% | 8.4% | 216 | 20.9% | 9.3% | -1 | -14.6pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 79 | 2.3% | 2.9% | 49 | 4.7% | 3.0% | +30 | -2.4pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 2,715 | 79.2% | 77.1% | 675 | 65.3% | 71.3% | +2,040 | +13.9pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 27 | 0.8% | 1.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.3% | +27 | +0.8pp |
| Not Stated | 291 | 8.5% | 5.4% | 31 | 3.0% | 9.1% | +260 | +5.5pp |
| Total | 3,429 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,034 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,395 | 0.0pp |