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Canberra

Highest level of schooling

In Canberra, 69.4% of people aged over 15 years had completed Year 12 schooling (or equivalent) as of 2016. This was greater than Regional NT.

Canberra's school completion data is a useful indicator of socio-economic status. With other indicators, such as Proficiency in English, the data informs planners and decision-makers about people's ability to access services. Combined with Educational Qualifications it also allows assessment of the skill base of the population.

Learn more about planning education provision here.

Derived from the Census question:

'What is the highest year of primary or secondary school the person has completed?'

Persons aged 15 years and over

Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Canberra - Total persons (Usual residence)20162011Change
Level of schoolingNumber%Regional NT %Number%Regional NT %2011 to 2016
Year 8 or below7,7612.410.58,4782.913.4-717
Year 9 or equivalent10,8613.47.711,4954.09.2-634
Year 10 or equivalent41,45112.918.543,70715.120.4-2,256
Year 11 or equivalent15,5294.811.415,1555.211.3+374
Year 12 or equivalent223,74969.431.6192,66166.430.2+31,088
Did not go to school1,3990.42.31,2000.42.7+199
Not stated21,6726.718.017,6036.112.8+4,069

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2011 and 2016. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).

Highest level of schooling completed, 2016
Highest level of schooling completed, 2016 Did not go to school, Regional NT: 2.3% Year 12 or equivalent, Regional NT: 31.6% Year 11 or equivalent, Regional NT: 11.4% Year 10 or equivalent, Regional NT: 18.5% Year 9 or equivalent, Regional NT: 7.7% Year 8 or below, Regional NT: 10.5% Did not go to school, Canberra: 0.4% Year 12 or equivalent, Canberra: 69.4% Year 11 or equivalent, Canberra: 4.8% Year 10 or equivalent, Canberra: 12.9% Year 9 or equivalent, Canberra: 3.4% Year 8 or below, Canberra: 2.4%
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing, 2016 (Usual residence data)
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Change in highest level of schooling completed, 2011 to 2016
Change in highest level of schooling completed, 2011 to 2016 Did not go to school, Canberra: +199 Year 12 or equivalent, Canberra: +31,088 Year 11 or equivalent, Canberra: +374 Year 10 or equivalent, Canberra: -2,256 Year 9 or equivalent, Canberra: -634 Year 8 or below, Canberra: -717
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing, 2011 and 2016 (Usual residence data)
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).

Dominant groups

Analysis of the highest level of schooling attained by the population in Canberra in 2016 compared to Regional NT shows that there was a lower proportion of people who had left school at an early level (Year 10 or less) and a higher proportion of people who completed Year 12 or equivalent.

Overall, 19.1% of the population left school at Year 10 or below, and 69.4% went on to complete Year 12 or equivalent, compared with 39.0% and 31.6% respectively for Regional NT.

The major differences between the level of schooling attained by the population in Canberra and Regional NT were:

  • A larger percentage of persons who completed year 12 or equivalent (69.4% compared to 31.6%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who completed year 8 or below (2.4% compared to 10.5%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who completed year 11 or equivalent (4.8% compared to 11.4%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who completed year 10 or equivalent (12.9% compared to 18.5%)

Emerging groups

The largest changes in the level of schooling attained by the population in Canberra, between 2011 and 2016 were:

  • Year 12 or equivalent (+31,088 persons)
  • Year 10 or equivalent (-2,256 persons)
  • Year 8 or below (-717 persons)
  • Year 9 or equivalent (-634 persons)

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