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AustraliaCommunity profile

South Australia

Highest level of schooling

In South Australia, 54.3% of females aged over 15 years had completed Year 12 schooling (or equivalent) as of 2021. This was less than Western Australia.

South Australia'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
South Australia - Total females (Usual residence)20212011Change
Level of schoolingNumber%Western Australia %Number%Western Australia %2011 to 2021
Year 8 or below34,0284.52.746,3416.94.0-12,313
Year 9 or equivalent35,8524.74.039,3325.94.6-3,480
Year 10 or equivalent109,16314.518.8114,45717.122.2-5,294
Year 11 or equivalent118,81715.79.3118,03117.610.8+786
Year 12 or equivalent410,15854.358.1296,40544.349.4+113,753
Did not go to school7,9871.10.75,7180.90.7+2,269
Not stated39,3485.26.349,1077.38.4-9,759
Total persons aged 15+755,353100.0100.0669,391100.0100.0+85,962
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2011 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 female population in South Australia in 2021 compared to Western Australia shows that there was a lower proportion of females who had left school at an early level (Year 10 or less) as well as a lower proportion of females who completed Year 12 or equivalent.

Overall, 24.8% of the female population left school at Year 10 or below, and 54.3% went on to complete Year 12 or equivalent, compared with 26.3% and 58.1% respectively for Western Australia.

The major differences between the level of schooling attained by the female population in South Australia and Western Australia were:

  • A larger percentage of females who completed year 11 or equivalent (15.7% compared to 9.3%)
  • A larger percentage of females who completed year 8 or below (4.5% compared to 2.7%)
  • A smaller percentage of females who completed year 10 or equivalent (14.5% compared to 18.8%)
  • A smaller percentage of females who completed year 12 or equivalent (54.3% compared to 58.1%)

Emerging groups

The largest changes in the level of schooling attained by the female population in South Australia, between 2011 and 2021 were:

  • Year 12 or equivalent (+113,753 females)
  • Year 8 or below (-12,313 females)
  • Year 10 or equivalent (-5,294 females)
  • Year 9 or equivalent (-3,480 females)

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