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 Perth (C), accounting for 76.4% (20,038 people). This share was higher than Greater Perth (61.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 5,928 people and 7.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Perth (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Perth (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Perth and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Perth (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
200
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
200
0.8%
-0.3pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
287
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
287
1.1%
-0.2pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
1,662
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,662
6.3%
-0.4pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
1,175
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,175
4.5%
+0.1pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
20,038
% of total
76.4%
Change from 2016
+7.5pp
20,038
76.4%
+7.5pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
116
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
116
0.4%
0.0pp
Not Stated
2021 count
2,763
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
-6.8pp
2,763
10.5%
-6.8pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-18
-0.3pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
+27
-0.2pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+293
-0.4pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+273
+0.1pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+5,928
+7.5pp
Did Not Go To School
+31
0.0pp
Not Stated
-775
-6.8pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Perth (C). Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Perth% | Count | % | Greater Perth% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 200 | 0.8% | 2.5% | 218 | 1.1% | 3.0% | -18 | -0.3pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 287 | 1.1% | 3.0% | 260 | 1.3% | 3.3% | +27 | -0.2pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 1,662 | 6.3% | 17.7% | 1,369 | 6.7% | 18.5% | +293 | -0.4pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 1,175 | 4.5% | 8.2% | 902 | 4.4% | 8.6% | +273 | +0.1pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 20,038 | 76.4% | 61.8% | 14,110 | 68.9% | 57.3% | +5,928 | +7.5pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 116 | 0.4% | 0.8% | 85 | 0.4% | 0.7% | +31 | 0.0pp |
| Not Stated | 2,763 | 10.5% | 6.0% | 3,538 | 17.3% | 8.6% | -775 | -6.8pp |
| Total | 26,241 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20,482 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,759 | 0.0pp |