Education in Greater Darwin, Australia: official figures
57.9% of residents of Greater Darwin aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 16th highest of 31 areas, below the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: Greater Darwin, the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area (the city and its commuting zone).
How many people in Greater Darwin left school before Year 10?
6.6% of residents of Greater Darwin 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 Darwin have a postgraduate degree?
6.9% of residents of Greater Darwin aged 15 and over held a postgraduate degree as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 13th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (6.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Darwin have a university degree?
16.3% of residents of Greater Darwin aged 15 and over held a bachelor degree as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 15th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (17.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Darwin have a diploma?
8.9% of residents of Greater Darwin aged 15 and over held an advanced diploma or diploma as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 9th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (9.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Darwin have a trade or certificate qualification?
21.2% of residents of Greater Darwin 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 highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (19.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many teenagers in Greater Darwin are in work or study?
73.9% of 15 to 19 year olds in Greater Darwin were fully engaged in work or study at the 2021 Census (35.4% 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 Darwin?
1,906 four-year-olds and 170 five-year-olds were enrolled in a preschool program in Greater Darwin in 2024; 1,791 children attended 15 hours or more a week.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Darwin are repaying student loans?
6,598 residents of Greater Darwin made a repayment on a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt in 2021-22, which is 44 per 1,000 residents (7th lowest of 26 areas; Australia 45).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Greater Darwin compares with other cities in Australia
Residents aged 15+ who completed Year 12, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Darwin 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+ who completed Year 12, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 19 | Sunshine Coast | 56.4% |
Residents aged 15+ with a bachelor degree as highest non-school qualification, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Darwin ranks 17 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 20 | Gold Coast | 15.2% |
Teenagers (15 to 19) fully engaged in work or study, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Darwin ranks 26 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Bendigo | 79.0% |
| 21 | Sunshine Coast | 78.7% |
| 22 | Central Coast | 77.5% |
| 23 | Townsville | 76.1% |
| 24 | Darwin | 75.0% |
| 25 | Cairns | 74.3% |
| 26 | Greater Darwin | 73.9% |
More on Greater Darwin: 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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