RDA Darling Downs and South West Region
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander profile - Highest level of schooling
In the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region 36% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 15 years have completed Year 12 schooling (or equivalent).
School completion data is a useful indicator of socio-economic status. With other indicators, such as Education Institute Attending, the data informs planners and decision-makers about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community’s likely literacy levels and ability to access services. Combined with Highest Education Attainment and Employment Status, it also allows assessment of the skill base of the population.
Due to the young age structure of most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, there are likely to be a higher proportion of people with less than year 12 completion. This may imply a lower education level, but may simply be due to younger age.
Derived from the Census question:
'What is the highest year of primary or secondary school the person has completed?'
Persons aged 15 years and over
| Highest level of secondary schooling completed | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - RDA Darling Downs and South West Region | 2021 | 2011 | Change | |||||
| Level of schooling | Number | % | Queensland - First Nations % | Number | % | Queensland - First Nations % | 2011 to 2021 | |
| Year 12 or equivalent | 3,909 | 35.7 | 38.7 | 5101 | 1,701 | 25.5 | 28.5 | +2,208 |
| Year 11 or equivalent | 1,159 | 10.6 | 11.9 | 5102 | 747 | 11.2 | 12.3 | +412 |
| Year 10 or equivalent | 3,230 | 29.5 | 28.6 | 5103 | 2,018 | 30.2 | 29.0 | +1,212 |
| Year 9 or equivalent | 1,258 | 11.5 | 9.3 | 5104 | 822 | 12.3 | 9.6 | +436 |
| Year 8 or below | 899 | 8.2 | 6.6 | 5105 | 779 | 11.7 | 10.5 | +120 |
| Did not go to school | 116 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 5106 | 66 | 1.0 | 1.0 | +50 |
| Not stated / inadequately described | 365 | 3.3 | 3.8 | 5108 | 544 | 8.1 | 9.1 | -179 |
| Total people age 15+ | 10,936 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 6,677 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +4,259 | |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing (opens a new window) 2011 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (opens a new window)(informed decisions).
(Usual residence data)
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Dominant groups
Analysis of the highest level of schooling attained by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region in 2021 compared to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Queensland 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, 50.3% of the population left school at Year 10 or below, and 35.7% went on to complete Year 12 or equivalent, compared with 45.5% and 38.7% respectively for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Queensland.
The major differences between the level of schooling attained by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Queensland were:
- A larger percentage of people who completed year 9 or equivalent (11.5% compared to 9.3%)
- A larger percentage of people who completed year 8 or below (8.2% compared to 6.6%)
- A smaller percentage of people who completed year 12 or equivalent (35.7% compared to 38.7%)
- A smaller percentage of people who completed year 11 or equivalent (10.6% compared to 11.9%)
Emerging groups
The largest changes in the level of schooling attained by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region, between 2011 and 2021 were:
- Year 12 or equivalent (+2,208 people)
- Year 10 or equivalent (+1,212 people)
- Year 9 or equivalent (+436 people)
- Year 11 or equivalent (+412 people)