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 Port Stephens (A), accounting for 38.7% (24,173 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (43%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 4,685 people and 4.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Port Stephens (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Port Stephens (A) 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 Port Stephens (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
2,616
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
2,616
4.2%
-0.3pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
5,825
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
5,825
9.3%
-0.9pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
20,584
% of total
33.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
20,584
33.0%
-0.2pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
4,965
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
4,965
8.0%
+0.5pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
24,173
% of total
38.7%
Change from 2016
+4.5pp
24,173
38.7%
+4.5pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
190
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
190
0.3%
0.0pp
Not Stated
2021 count
4,035
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
4,035
6.5%
-3.5pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
+31
-0.3pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
-2
-0.9pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+1,624
-0.2pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+677
+0.5pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+4,685
+4.5pp
Did Not Go To School
+16
0.0pp
Not Stated
-1,685
-3.5pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Port Stephens (A). 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 | 2,616 | 4.2% | 4.5% | 2,585 | 4.5% | 5.6% | +31 | -0.3pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 5,825 | 9.3% | 8.1% | 5,827 | 10.2% | 9.0% | -2 | -0.9pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 20,584 | 33.0% | 28.6% | 18,960 | 33.2% | 29.8% | +1,624 | -0.2pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 4,965 | 8.0% | 7.4% | 4,288 | 7.5% | 7.2% | +677 | +0.5pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 24,173 | 38.7% | 43.0% | 19,488 | 34.2% | 38.0% | +4,685 | +4.5pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 190 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 174 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +16 | 0.0pp |
| Not Stated | 4,035 | 6.5% | 7.9% | 5,720 | 10.0% | 10.0% | -1,685 | -3.5pp |
| Total | 62,388 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 57,042 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,346 | 0.0pp |