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 Thomastown, accounting for 50.9% (8,699 people). This share was lower than Whittlesea (C) (59.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Year 12 or Equivalent, which increased by 768 people and 4.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Thomastown - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises highest level of schooling for Thomastown in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Whittlesea (C) and change since 2016.
Highest level of secondary schooling completed snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Thomastown, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
Year 8 Or Below
2021 count
2,340
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
2,340
13.7%
-2.1pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
2021 count
994
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
994
5.8%
-0.2pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
2021 count
1,828
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,828
10.7%
-0.2pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
2021 count
1,366
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,366
8.0%
-0.3pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
2021 count
8,699
% of total
50.9%
Change from 2016
+4.7pp
8,699
50.9%
+4.7pp
Did Not Go To School
2021 count
842
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
842
4.9%
+0.6pp
Not Stated
2021 count
1,009
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
1,009
5.9%
-2.7pp
Chart view
Highest level of secondary schooling completed change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Year 8 Or Below
-368
-2.1pp
Year 9 Or Equivalent
-34
-0.2pp
Year 10 Or Equivalent
-40
-0.2pp
Year 11 Or Equivalent
-51
-0.3pp
Year 12 Or Equivalent
+768
+4.7pp
Did Not Go To School
+106
+0.6pp
Not Stated
-462
-2.7pp
Data table
Highest level of schooling for Thomastown. Highest level of secondary schooling completed. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whittlesea (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Whittlesea (C)% | Count | % | Whittlesea (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Year 8 Or Below | 2,340 | 13.7% | 6.3% | 2,708 | 15.8% | 7.8% | -368 | -2.1pp |
| Year 9 Or Equivalent | 994 | 5.8% | 5.3% | 1,028 | 6.0% | 5.8% | -34 | -0.2pp |
| Year 10 Or Equivalent | 1,828 | 10.7% | 11.7% | 1,868 | 10.9% | 12.8% | -40 | -0.2pp |
| Year 11 Or Equivalent | 1,366 | 8.0% | 10.0% | 1,417 | 8.3% | 10.9% | -51 | -0.3pp |
| Year 12 Or Equivalent | 8,699 | 50.9% | 59.4% | 7,931 | 46.2% | 54.1% | +768 | +4.7pp |
| Did Not Go To School | 842 | 4.9% | 2.0% | 736 | 4.3% | 1.9% | +106 | +0.6pp |
| Not Stated | 1,009 | 5.9% | 5.2% | 1,471 | 8.6% | 6.8% | -462 | -2.7pp |
| Total | 17,078 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 17,159 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -81 | 0.0pp |