Education in Greater Brisbane, Australia: official figures
63.9% of residents of Greater Brisbane aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, joint 11th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: Greater Brisbane, the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area (the city and its commuting zone).
How many people in Greater Brisbane left school before Year 10?
7.3% of residents of Greater Brisbane 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 Brisbane have a postgraduate degree?
6.3% of residents of Greater Brisbane aged 15 and over held a postgraduate degree as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 16th highest of 31 areas, below the national figure (6.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Brisbane have a university degree?
18.1% of residents of Greater Brisbane aged 15 and over held a bachelor degree as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, joint 13th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (17.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Brisbane have a diploma?
9.8% of residents of Greater Brisbane aged 15 and over held an advanced diploma or diploma as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, joint 6th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (9.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Brisbane have a trade or certificate qualification?
20.1% of residents of Greater Brisbane aged 15 and over held a certificate (levels I to IV, including trade qualifications) as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 14th lowest of 31 areas, above the national figure (19.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many teenagers in Greater Brisbane are in work or study?
81.1% of 15 to 19 year olds in Greater Brisbane were fully engaged in work or study at the 2021 Census (42.4% 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 Brisbane?
28,556 four-year-olds and 4,095 five-year-olds were enrolled in a preschool program in Greater Brisbane in 2024; 27,706 children attended 15 hours or more a week.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Brisbane are repaying student loans?
140,427 residents of Greater Brisbane made a repayment on a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt in 2021-22, which is 54 per 1,000 residents (10th highest of 26 areas; Australia 45).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Greater Brisbane compares with other cities in Australia
Residents aged 15+ who completed Year 12, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Brisbane ranks 11 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Canberra-Queanbeyan | 73.2% |
| 9 | Greater Sydney | 66.9% |
| 10 | Greater Melbourne | 66.9% |
| 11 | Greater Brisbane | 63.9% |
| 12 | Darwin | 63.9% |
| 13 | Greater Perth | 61.8% |
| 14 | Gold Coast | 59.3% |
Residents aged 15+ with a bachelor degree as highest non-school qualification, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Brisbane ranks 13 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Greater Melbourne | 21.0% |
| 11 | Darwin | 20.2% |
| 12 | Newcastle | 19.1% |
| 13 | Greater Brisbane | 18.1% |
| 14 | Greater Perth | 18.1% |
| 15 | Greater Hobart | 17.5% |
| 16 | Greater Adelaide | 17.2% |
Teenagers (15 to 19) fully engaged in work or study, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Brisbane ranks 14 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Greater Perth | 83.0% |
| 12 | Geelong | 82.6% |
| 13 | Wollongong | 81.5% |
| 14 | Greater Brisbane | 81.1% |
| 15 | Newcastle | 80.5% |
| 16 | Ballarat | 80.3% |
| 17 | Greater Hobart | 79.9% |
More on Greater Brisbane: 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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