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Cairns Regional CouncilCommunity profile

Cairns

Highest level of schooling

In Cairns, 55.2% of females aged over 15 years had completed Year 12 schooling (or equivalent) as of 2021. This was less than Palm Cove - Ellis Beach.

Cairns'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
Cairns - Total females (Usual residence)20212016Change
Level of schoolingNumber%Palm Cove - Ellis Beach %Number%Palm Cove - Ellis Beach %2016 to 2021
Year 8 or below2,1833.21.32,4473.82.0-264
Year 9 or equivalent3,0244.43.62,6234.13.3+401
Year 10 or equivalent13,23719.217.713,15820.620.4+79
Year 11 or equivalent5,6098.111.95,4938.610.8+116
Year 12 or equivalent38,13655.257.532,79851.354.0+5,338
Did not go to school5710.8--4720.70.3+99
Not stated6,2999.18.16,92210.89.2-623
Total persons aged 15+69,059100.0100.063,913100.0100.0+5,146
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 female population in Cairns in 2021 compared to Palm Cove - Ellis Beach shows that there was a higher proportion of females who had left school at an early level (Year 10 or less) and a lower proportion of females who completed Year 12 or equivalent.

Overall, 27.5% of the female population left school at Year 10 or below, and 55.2% went on to complete Year 12 or equivalent, compared with 22.6% and 57.5% respectively for Palm Cove - Ellis Beach.

The major differences between the level of schooling attained by the female population in Cairns and Palm Cove - Ellis Beach were:

  • A larger percentage of females who completed year 8 or below (3.2% compared to 1.3%)
  • A larger percentage of females who completed year 10 or equivalent (19.2% compared to 17.7%)
  • A smaller percentage of females who completed year 11 or equivalent (8.1% compared to 11.9%)
  • A smaller percentage of females who completed year 12 or equivalent (55.2% compared to 57.5%)

Emerging groups

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

  • Year 12 or equivalent (+5,338 females)
  • Year 9 or equivalent (+401 females)
  • Year 8 or below (-264 females)
  • Year 11 or equivalent (+116 females)

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