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AustraliaCommunity profile

Western Australia

Highest level of schooling

In Western Australia, 56.0% of people aged over 15 years had completed Year 12 schooling (or equivalent) as of 2021. This was less than Canberra.

Western 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
Western Australia - Total persons (Usual residence)20212006Change
Level of schoolingNumber%Canberra %Number%Canberra %2006 to 2021
Year 8 or below57,8832.72.177,0164.93.6-19,133
Year 9 or equivalent91,0924.23.085,4575.54.5+5,635
Year 10 or equivalent425,27119.711.3389,88124.917.0+35,390
Year 11 or equivalent205,8099.64.4171,74811.05.7+34,061
Year 12 or equivalent1,206,14056.074.2663,26342.462.1+542,877
Did not go to school14,7440.70.510,0120.60.4+4,732
Not stated153,2897.14.5165,28610.66.8-11,997
Total persons aged 15+2,154,228100.0100.01,562,663100.0100.0+591,565
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2006 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 Western Australia in 2021 compared to Canberra 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, 27.3% of the population left school at Year 10 or below, and 56.0% went on to complete Year 12 or equivalent, compared with 16.9% and 74.2% respectively for Canberra.

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

  • A larger percentage of persons who completed year 10 or equivalent (19.7% compared to 11.3%)
  • A larger percentage of persons who completed year 11 or equivalent (9.6% compared to 4.4%)
  • A larger percentage of persons who completed year 9 or equivalent (4.2% compared to 3.0%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who completed year 12 or equivalent (56.0% compared to 74.2%)

Emerging groups

The largest changes in the level of schooling attained by the population in Western Australia, between 2006 and 2021 were:

  • Year 12 or equivalent (+542,877 persons)
  • Year 10 or equivalent (+35,390 persons)
  • Year 11 or equivalent (+34,061 persons)
  • Year 8 or below (-19,133 persons)

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