Education in Greater Wollongong, Australia: official figures
49.0% of residents of the Wollongong urban area aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 5th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the Wollongong Significant Urban Area (a continuous built-up area that can cross council and state borders).
How many people in Greater Wollongong left school before Year 10?
12.3% of residents of the Wollongong urban area aged 15 and over had left school at Year 9 or below, or never attended school, at the 2021 Census, above the national figure (9.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Wollongong have a postgraduate degree?
5.5% of residents of the Wollongong urban area aged 15 and over held a postgraduate degree as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 13th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (6.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Wollongong have a university degree?
14.4% of residents of the Wollongong urban area aged 15 and over held a bachelor degree as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 8th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (17.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Wollongong have a diploma?
9.5% of residents of the Wollongong urban area aged 15 and over held an advanced diploma or diploma as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 14th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (9.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Wollongong have a trade or certificate qualification?
23.9% of residents of the Wollongong 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, 6th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (19.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Greater Wollongong compares with other cities in Australia
Residents aged 15+ who completed Year 12, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Wollongong ranks 27 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Wollongong | 53.7% |
| 25 | Ballarat | 52.7% |
| 26 | Toowoomba | 51.5% |
| 27 | Greater Wollongong | 49.0% |
| 28 | Bendigo | 47.9% |
| 29 | Central Coast | 47.2% |
| 30 | Newcastle-Maitland | 46.4% |
Residents aged 15+ with a bachelor degree as highest non-school qualification, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Wollongong ranks 24 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Sunshine Coast | 15.1% |
| 22 | Gold Coast-Tweed Heads | 15.0% |
| 23 | Ballarat | 14.9% |
| 24 | Greater Wollongong | 14.4% |
| 25 | Newcastle-Maitland | 14.2% |
| 26 | Cairns | 13.4% |
| 27 | Bendigo | 13.1% |
More on Greater Wollongong: 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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