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 Sydney (C), accounting for 80.8% (156,333 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (66.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 13,769 people and 6.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Sydney (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Sydney (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sydney (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
2,374
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
2,374
1.2%
-0.4pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
2,332
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
2,332
1.2%
-0.2pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
10,150
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
10,150
5.2%
-0.3pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
5,667
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
5,667
2.9%
+0.1pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
156,333
% of total
80.8%
Change from 2016
+6.6pp
156,333
80.8%
+6.6pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
1,473
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,473
0.8%
+0.1pp
Not Stated
2021 count
15,163
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-6.1pp
15,163
7.8%
-6.1pp
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-624
-0.4pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
-412
-0.2pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
-336
-0.3pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+293
+0.1pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+13,769
+6.6pp
Did Not Go To School
+108
+0.1pp
Not Stated
-11,457
-6.1pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Sydney (C). Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 2,374 | 1.2% | 3.3% | 2,998 | 1.6% | 4.0% | -624 | -0.4pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 2,332 | 1.2% | 3.4% | 2,744 | 1.4% | 4.0% | -412 | -0.2pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 10,150 | 5.2% | 14.8% | 10,486 | 5.5% | 16.6% | -336 | -0.3pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 5,667 | 2.9% | 3.9% | 5,374 | 2.8% | 4.0% | +293 | +0.1pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 156,333 | 80.8% | 66.9% | 142,564 | 74.2% | 62.1% | +13,769 | +6.6pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 1,473 | 0.8% | 1.6% | 1,365 | 0.7% | 1.4% | +108 | +0.1pp |
| Not Stated | 15,163 | 7.8% | 6.2% | 26,620 | 13.9% | 7.9% | -11,457 | -6.1pp |
| Total | 193,492 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 192,151 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,341 | 0.0pp |