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 Unincorporated ACT, accounting for 77.1% (274,501 people). This share was similar to Australian Capital Territory (77.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 51,461 people and 4.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Unincorporated ACT - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Unincorporated ACT in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Australian Capital Territory and change since 2016.
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Unincorporated ACT, with comparison markers for Australian Capital Territory.
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
6,392
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
6,392
1.8%
-0.4pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
6,874
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
6,874
1.9%
-0.5pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
37,453
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
37,453
10.5%
-1.6pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
12,520
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
12,520
3.5%
-0.3pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
274,501
% of total
77.1%
Change from 2016
+4.9pp
274,501
77.1%
+4.9pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
1,837
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,837
0.5%
0.0pp
Not Stated
2021 count
16,679
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
16,679
4.7%
-2.2pp
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-267
-0.4pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
-396
-0.5pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+186
-1.6pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+707
-0.3pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+51,461
+4.9pp
Did Not Go To School
+446
0.0pp
Not Stated
-4,784
-2.2pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Unincorporated ACT. Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Australian Capital Territory.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Australian Capital Territory% | Count | % | Australian Capital Territory% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 6,392 | 1.8% | 1.8% | 6,659 | 2.2% | 2.2% | -267 | -0.4pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 6,874 | 1.9% | 1.9% | 7,270 | 2.4% | 2.4% | -396 | -0.5pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 37,453 | 10.5% | 10.5% | 37,267 | 12.1% | 12.1% | +186 | -1.6pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 12,520 | 3.5% | 3.5% | 11,813 | 3.8% | 3.8% | +707 | -0.3pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 274,501 | 77.1% | 77.1% | 223,040 | 72.2% | 72.2% | +51,461 | +4.9pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 1,837 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 1,391 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +446 | 0.0pp |
| Not Stated | 16,679 | 4.7% | 4.7% | 21,463 | 6.9% | 6.9% | -4,784 | -2.2pp |
| Total | 356,256 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 308,903 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +47,353 | 0.0pp |