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 Penola, accounting for 42.1% (564 people). This share was higher than Wattle Range (DC) (35.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 58 people and 3.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Penola - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Penola in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wattle Range (DC) and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Penola, with comparison markers for Wattle Range (DC).
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
82
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
82
6.1%
-2.0pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
70
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
70
5.2%
-0.8pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
245
% of total
18.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
245
18.3%
-0.4pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
268
% of total
20.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
268
20.0%
-0.3pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
564
% of total
42.1%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
564
42.1%
+3.3pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
12
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
12
0.9%
+0.9pp
Not Stated
2021 count
99
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
99
7.4%
-0.6pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-24
-2.0pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
-8
-0.8pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
+1
-0.4pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
+3
-0.3pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+58
+3.3pp
Did Not Go To School
+12
+0.9pp
Not Stated
-5
-0.6pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Penola. Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wattle Range (DC).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Wattle Range (DC)% | Count | % | Wattle Range (DC)% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 82 | 6.1% | 6.2% | 106 | 8.1% | 8.1% | -24 | -2.0pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 70 | 5.2% | 6.9% | 78 | 6.0% | 7.2% | -8 | -0.8pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 245 | 18.3% | 20.2% | 244 | 18.7% | 20.9% | +1 | -0.4pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 268 | 20.0% | 21.6% | 265 | 20.3% | 22.6% | +3 | -0.3pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 564 | 42.1% | 35.7% | 506 | 38.8% | 31.7% | +58 | +3.3pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 12 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.3% | +12 | +0.9pp |
| Not Stated | 99 | 7.4% | 8.8% | 104 | 8.0% | 9.2% | -5 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 1,340 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,303 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +37 | 0.0pp |