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AustraliaCommunity profile

Northern Territory

Highest level of schooling

In Northern Territory, 48.3% of people aged over 15 years had completed Year 12 schooling (or equivalent) as of 2021. This was less than Australia.

Northern Territory'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.

Q:

Derived from the Census question:

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

Highest level of secondary schooling completed
Northern Territory - Total persons (Usual residence)20212016Change
Level of schoolingNumber%Australia %Number%Australia %2016 to 2021
Year 8 or below9,2355.03.910,6025.94.8-1,367
Year 9 or equivalent10,1245.55.29,6195.45.6+505
Year 10 or equivalent31,67017.217.931,08817.319.2+582
Year 11 or equivalent21,23511.68.720,61011.59.1+625
Year 12 or equivalent88,75748.356.876,95842.951.9+11,799
Did not go to school2,3691.31.02,2201.20.9+149
Not stated20,31911.16.628,26115.88.6-7,942
Total persons aged 15+183,709100.0100.0179,358100.0100.0+4,351
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

Analysis of the highest level of schooling attained by the population in Northern Territory in 2021 compared to Australia shows that there was a higher proportion of people who had left school at an early level (Year 10 or less) and a lower proportion of people who completed Year 12 or equivalent.

Overall, 29.1% of the population left school at Year 10 or below, and 48.3% went on to complete Year 12 or equivalent, compared with 28.0% and 56.8% respectively for Australia.

The major differences between the level of schooling attained by the population in Northern Territory and Australia were:

  • A larger percentage of persons who completed year 11 or equivalent (11.6% compared to 8.7%)
  • A larger percentage of persons who completed year 8 or below (5.0% compared to 3.9%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who completed year 12 or equivalent (48.3% compared to 56.8%)

Emerging groups

The largest changes in the level of schooling attained by the population in Northern Territory, between 2016 and 2021 were:

  • Year 12 or equivalent (+11,799 persons)
  • Year 8 or below (-1,367 persons)
  • Year 11 or equivalent (+625 persons)
  • Year 10 or equivalent (+582 persons)

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