Education in Canberra, Australia: official figures
77.1% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 3rd highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the whole Australian Capital Territory (Canberra has no city council, so the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area is the territory).
How many people in Canberra left school before Year 10?
4.2% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) 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 have a postgraduate degree?
14.2% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) aged 15 and over held a postgraduate degree as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 6th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (6.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra have a university degree?
24.2% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) aged 15 and over held a bachelor degree as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 7th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (17.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra have a diploma?
9.3% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) aged 15 and over held an advanced diploma or diploma as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, joint 15th highest of 31 areas, below the national figure (9.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra have a trade or certificate qualification?
13.2% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) aged 15 and over held a certificate (levels I to IV, including trade qualifications) as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 6th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (19.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many teenagers in Canberra are in work or study?
85.4% of 15 to 19 year olds in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) were fully engaged in work or study at the 2021 Census (41.6% were studying full-time and not working), against 81.4% fully engaged across Australia.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many children attend preschool in Canberra?
5,150 four-year-olds and 1,560 five-year-olds were enrolled in a preschool program in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) in 2024; 5,654 children attended 15 hours or more a week.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra are repaying student loans?
30,096 residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) made a repayment on a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt in 2021-22, which is 65 per 1,000 residents (5th highest of 26 areas; Australia 45).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Canberra compares with other cities in Australia
Residents aged 15+ who completed Year 12, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Canberra ranks 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melbourne | 82.1% |
| 2 | Sydney | 80.8% |
| 3 | Canberra | 77.1% |
| 4 | Adelaide | 76.5% |
| 5 | Perth | 76.4% |
| 6 | Hobart | 75.5% |
| 7 | Brisbane | 74.1% |
Residents aged 15+ with a bachelor degree as highest non-school qualification, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Canberra ranks 7 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Adelaide | 27.9% |
| 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% |
Teenagers (15 to 19) fully engaged in work or study, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Canberra ranks 5 of 26, 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. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Teenagers (15 to 19) fully engaged in work or study, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Brisbane | 86.4% |
| 3 | Perth | 86.2% |
| 4 | Melbourne | 85.9% |
| 5 | Canberra | 85.4% |
| 6 | Hobart | 85.3% |
| 7 | Greater Sydney | 84.3% |
| 8 | Sydney | 84.2% |
More on Canberra: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Greater Capital City Statistical Areas and Australia (ASGS Edition 3), all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bf78744b9729…)
- 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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