Education in Canberra-Queanbeyan, Australia: official figures
73.2% of residents of the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 8th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the Canberra-Queanbeyan Significant Urban Area (a continuous built-up area that can cross council and state borders).
How many people in Canberra-Queanbeyan left school before Year 10?
5.8% of residents of the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area aged 15 and over had left school at Year 9 or below, or never attended school, at the 2021 Census, below the national figure (9.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra-Queanbeyan have a postgraduate degree?
13.8% of residents of the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area aged 15 and over held a postgraduate degree as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 7th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (6.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra-Queanbeyan have a university degree?
23.6% of residents of the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area aged 15 and over held a bachelor degree as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 8th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (17.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra-Queanbeyan have a diploma?
9.3% of residents of the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area aged 15 and over held an advanced diploma or diploma as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 15th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (9.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra-Queanbeyan have a trade or certificate qualification?
13.7% of residents of the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area aged 15 and over held a certificate (levels I to IV, including trade qualifications) as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 7th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (19.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Canberra-Queanbeyan compares with other cities in Australia
Residents aged 15+ who completed Year 12, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Canberra-Queanbeyan ranks 8 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 15+ who completed Year 12, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Perth | 76.4% |
| 6 | Hobart | 75.5% |
| 7 | Brisbane | 74.1% |
| 8 | Canberra-Queanbeyan | 73.2% |
| 9 | Greater Sydney | 66.9% |
| 10 | Greater Melbourne | 66.9% |
| 11 | Greater Brisbane | 63.9% |
Residents aged 15+ with a bachelor degree as highest non-school qualification, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Canberra-Queanbeyan ranks 8 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 15+ with a bachelor degree as highest non-school qualification, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Hobart | 27.8% |
| 6 | Brisbane | 25.0% |
| 7 | Canberra | 24.2% |
| 8 | Canberra-Queanbeyan | 23.6% |
| 9 | Greater Sydney | 21.8% |
| 10 | Greater Melbourne | 21.0% |
| 11 | Darwin | 20.2% |
More on Canberra-Queanbeyan: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: 2021 Census General Community Profile DataPack: Significant Urban Areas, Australia, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1c2f3c0b329f…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
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