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 10 or Equivalent was the most common schooling level among residents aged 15 and over in Richmond Valley (A), accounting for 34.8% (6,458 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (28.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 960 people and 3.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Richmond Valley (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Richmond Valley (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 Richmond Valley (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
1,163
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
1,163
6.3%
-2.2pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
1,723
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
1,723
9.3%
-1.4pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
6,458
% of total
34.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
6,458
34.8%
-0.5pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
1,295
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,295
7.0%
+0.4pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
5,790
% of total
31.2%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
5,790
31.2%
+3.9pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
56
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
56
0.3%
0.0pp
Not Stated
2021 count
2,088
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,088
11.2%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-336
-2.2pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
-161
-1.4pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+232
-0.5pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+136
+0.4pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+960
+3.9pp
Did Not Go To School
-4
0.0pp
Not Stated
+86
-0.1pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Richmond Valley (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 | 1,163 | 6.3% | 4.3% | 1,499 | 8.5% | 5.4% | -336 | -2.2pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 1,723 | 9.3% | 7.3% | 1,884 | 10.7% | 8.3% | -161 | -1.4pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 6,458 | 34.8% | 28.7% | 6,226 | 35.3% | 29.9% | +232 | -0.5pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 1,295 | 7.0% | 6.7% | 1,159 | 6.6% | 6.4% | +136 | +0.4pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 5,790 | 31.2% | 44.5% | 4,830 | 27.3% | 39.2% | +960 | +3.9pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 56 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 60 | 0.3% | 0.4% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| Not Stated | 2,088 | 11.2% | 8.1% | 2,002 | 11.3% | 10.2% | +86 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 18,573 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 17,660 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +913 | 0.0pp |