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 Atherton, accounting for 41.8% (2,685 people). This share was higher than Tablelands (R) (40.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 286 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Atherton - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Atherton in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Tablelands (R) and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Atherton, with comparison markers for Tablelands (R).
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
419
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
419
6.5%
-2.2pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
375
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
375
5.8%
-0.6pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
1,723
% of total
26.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,723
26.9%
-0.5pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
486
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
486
7.6%
+0.5pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
2,685
% of total
41.8%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
2,685
41.8%
+1.8pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
35
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
35
0.5%
0.0pp
Not Stated
2021 count
694
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
694
10.8%
+0.8pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-104
-2.2pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
-7
-0.6pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+79
-0.5pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+62
+0.5pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+286
+1.8pp
Did Not Go To School
+2
0.0pp
Not Stated
+94
+0.8pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Atherton. Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Tablelands (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Tablelands (R)% | Count | % | Tablelands (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 419 | 6.5% | 5.5% | 523 | 8.7% | 7.3% | -104 | -2.2pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 375 | 5.8% | 5.9% | 382 | 6.4% | 6.2% | -7 | -0.6pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 1,723 | 26.9% | 27.7% | 1,644 | 27.4% | 28.9% | +79 | -0.5pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 486 | 7.6% | 8.1% | 424 | 7.1% | 7.7% | +62 | +0.5pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 2,685 | 41.8% | 40.8% | 2,399 | 40.0% | 37.8% | +286 | +1.8pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 35 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 33 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Not Stated | 694 | 10.8% | 11.5% | 600 | 10.0% | 11.7% | +94 | +0.8pp |
| Total | 6,417 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,005 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +412 | 0.0pp |