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RDA Darling Downs and South West RegionCommunity profile

Southern Downs Regional Council area

Highest level of schooling

In Southern Downs Regional Council area, 39.1% of people aged over 15 years had completed Year 12 schooling (or equivalent) as of 2021. This was less than the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region.

Southern Downs Regional Council area'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
Southern Downs Regional Council area - Total persons (Usual residence)20212016Change
Level of schoolingNumber%RDA Darling Downs and South West Region %Number%RDA Darling Downs and South West Region %2016 to 2021
Year 8 or below2,0206.76.12,4178.57.3-397
Year 9 or equivalent2,1357.15.91,9736.95.7+162
Year 10 or equivalent8,99329.926.28,86231.127.4+131
Year 11 or equivalent2,2417.57.12,1747.67.3+67
Year 12 or equivalent11,75539.145.910,25536.041.7+1,500
Did not go to school1610.50.71090.40.5+52
Not stated2,7479.18.12,7069.510.2+41
Total persons aged 15+30,052100.0100.028,496100.0100.0+1,556
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 Southern Downs Regional Council area in 2021 compared to the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region 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, 44.3% of the population left school at Year 10 or below, and 39.1% went on to complete Year 12 or equivalent, compared with 39.0% and 45.9% respectively for the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region.

The major differences between the level of schooling attained by the population in Southern Downs Regional Council area and the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region were:

  • A larger percentage of persons who completed year 10 or equivalent (29.9% compared to 26.2%)
  • A larger percentage of persons who completed year 9 or equivalent (7.1% compared to 5.9%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who completed year 12 or equivalent (39.1% compared to 45.9%)

Emerging groups

The largest changes in the level of schooling attained by the population in Southern Downs Regional Council area, between 2016 and 2021 were:

  • Year 12 or equivalent (+1,500 persons)
  • Year 8 or below (-397 persons)
  • Year 9 or equivalent (+162 persons)
  • Year 10 or equivalent (+131 persons)

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