Education in Newcastle-Maitland, Australia: official figures
46.4% of residents of the Newcastle-Maitland urban area aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 2nd lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the Newcastle-Maitland Significant Urban Area (a continuous built-up area that can cross council and state borders).
How many people in Newcastle-Maitland left school before Year 10?
12.3% of residents of the Newcastle-Maitland 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 Newcastle-Maitland have a postgraduate degree?
4.3% of residents of the Newcastle-Maitland urban area aged 15 and over held a postgraduate degree as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 8th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (6.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Newcastle-Maitland have a university degree?
14.2% of residents of the Newcastle-Maitland urban area aged 15 and over held a bachelor degree as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 7th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (17.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Newcastle-Maitland have a diploma?
9.0% of residents of the Newcastle-Maitland urban area aged 15 and over held an advanced diploma or diploma as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 12th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (9.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Newcastle-Maitland have a trade or certificate qualification?
24.8% of residents of the Newcastle-Maitland 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, 3rd highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (19.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Newcastle-Maitland compares with other cities in Australia
Residents aged 15+ who completed Year 12, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Newcastle-Maitland ranks 30 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 31 | Albury-Wodonga | 45.1% |
Residents aged 15+ with a bachelor degree as highest non-school qualification, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Newcastle-Maitland ranks 25 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 28 | Toowoomba | 13.0% |
More on Newcastle-Maitland: 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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