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 Rutherford, accounting for 34.1% (3,485 people). This share was lower than Maitland (C) (42.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 765 people and 4.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Rutherford - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Rutherford in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Maitland (C) and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Rutherford, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
531
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
531
5.2%
-0.3pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
1,173
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,173
11.5%
+0.4pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
3,481
% of total
34.1%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
3,481
34.1%
-2.0pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
906
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
906
8.9%
0.0pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
3,485
% of total
34.1%
Change from 2016
+4.3pp
3,485
34.1%
+4.3pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
39
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
39
0.4%
+0.1pp
Not Stated
2021 count
607
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
607
5.9%
-2.5pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
+27
-0.3pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
+159
+0.4pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+186
-2.0pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+96
0.0pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+765
+4.3pp
Did Not Go To School
+8
+0.1pp
Not Stated
-156
-2.5pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Rutherford. Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Maitland (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Maitland (C)% | Count | % | Maitland (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 531 | 5.2% | 3.9% | 504 | 5.5% | 4.5% | +27 | -0.3pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 1,173 | 11.5% | 8.7% | 1,014 | 11.1% | 9.8% | +159 | +0.4pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 3,481 | 34.1% | 31.5% | 3,295 | 36.1% | 33.5% | +186 | -2.0pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 906 | 8.9% | 8.1% | 810 | 8.9% | 7.8% | +96 | 0.0pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 3,485 | 34.1% | 42.6% | 2,720 | 29.8% | 37.2% | +765 | +4.3pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 39 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 31 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Not Stated | 607 | 5.9% | 4.7% | 763 | 8.4% | 6.9% | -156 | -2.5pp |
| Total | 10,222 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,137 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,085 | 0.0pp |