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 Lake Macquarie (C), accounting for 45.2% (76,092 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (44.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 14,705 people and 5.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Lake Macquarie (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Lake Macquarie (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Lake Macquarie (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
5,915
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
5,915
3.5%
-1.1pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
13,292
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
13,292
7.9%
-1.5pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
52,648
% of total
31.3%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
52,648
31.3%
-1.5pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
11,082
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
11,082
6.6%
+0.5pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
76,092
% of total
45.2%
Change from 2016
+5.4pp
76,092
45.2%
+5.4pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
575
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
575
0.3%
0.0pp
Not Stated
2021 count
8,636
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
8,636
5.1%
-1.9pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-1,178
-1.1pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
-1,209
-1.5pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+1,984
-1.5pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+1,631
+0.5pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+14,705
+5.4pp
Did Not Go To School
+131
0.0pp
Not Stated
-2,113
-1.9pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Lake Macquarie (C). Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 5,915 | 3.5% | 4.3% | 7,093 | 4.6% | 5.4% | -1,178 | -1.1pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 13,292 | 7.9% | 7.3% | 14,501 | 9.4% | 8.3% | -1,209 | -1.5pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 52,648 | 31.3% | 28.7% | 50,664 | 32.8% | 29.9% | +1,984 | -1.5pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 11,082 | 6.6% | 6.7% | 9,451 | 6.1% | 6.4% | +1,631 | +0.5pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 76,092 | 45.2% | 44.5% | 61,387 | 39.8% | 39.2% | +14,705 | +5.4pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 575 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 444 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +131 | 0.0pp |
| Not Stated | 8,636 | 5.1% | 8.1% | 10,749 | 7.0% | 10.2% | -2,113 | -1.9pp |
| Total | 168,240 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 154,289 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +13,951 | 0.0pp |