Education in Greater Adelaide, Australia: official figures
59.2% of residents of Greater Adelaide aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 15th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: Greater Adelaide, the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area (the city and its commuting zone).
How many people in Greater Adelaide left school before Year 10?
8.6% of residents of Greater Adelaide 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 Greater Adelaide have a postgraduate degree?
6.2% of residents of Greater Adelaide aged 15 and over held a postgraduate degree as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 15th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (6.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Adelaide have a university degree?
17.2% of residents of Greater Adelaide aged 15 and over held a bachelor degree as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 16th highest of 31 areas, below the national figure (17.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Adelaide have a diploma?
9.0% of residents of Greater Adelaide aged 15 and over held an advanced diploma or diploma as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, joint 10th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (9.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Adelaide have a trade or certificate qualification?
19.7% of residents of Greater Adelaide aged 15 and over held a certificate (levels I to IV, including trade qualifications) as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 13th lowest of 31 areas, above the national figure (19.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many teenagers in Greater Adelaide are in work or study?
83.1% of 15 to 19 year olds in Greater Adelaide were fully engaged in work or study at the 2021 Census (44.9% 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 Greater Adelaide?
12,006 four-year-olds and 1,006 five-year-olds were enrolled in a preschool program in Greater Adelaide in 2024; 9,492 children attended 15 hours or more a week.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Adelaide are repaying student loans?
68,718 residents of Greater Adelaide made a repayment on a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt in 2021-22, which is 48 per 1,000 residents (12th lowest of 26 areas; Australia 45).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Greater Adelaide compares with other cities in Australia
Residents aged 15+ who completed Year 12, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Adelaide ranks 15 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Darwin | 63.9% |
| 13 | Greater Perth | 61.8% |
| 14 | Gold Coast | 59.3% |
| 15 | Greater Adelaide | 59.2% |
| 16 | Greater Darwin | 57.9% |
| 17 | Newcastle | 57.8% |
| 18 | Greater Hobart | 56.7% |
Residents aged 15+ with a bachelor degree as highest non-school qualification, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Adelaide ranks 16 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Greater Brisbane | 18.1% |
| 14 | Greater Perth | 18.1% |
| 15 | Greater Hobart | 17.5% |
| 16 | Greater Adelaide | 17.2% |
| 17 | Greater Darwin | 16.3% |
| 18 | Geelong | 16.1% |
| 19 | Wollongong | 15.7% |
Teenagers (15 to 19) fully engaged in work or study, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Adelaide ranks 10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Greater Sydney | 84.3% |
| 8 | Sydney | 84.2% |
| 9 | Adelaide | 83.7% |
| 10 | Greater Adelaide | 83.1% |
| 11 | Greater Perth | 83.0% |
| 12 | Geelong | 82.6% |
| 13 | Wollongong | 81.5% |
More on Greater Adelaide: 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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