Education in Newcastle, Australia: official figures
57.8% of residents of the City of Newcastle aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 15th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the City of Newcastle local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
How many people in Newcastle left school before Year 10?
8.9% of residents of the City of Newcastle 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 Newcastle have a postgraduate degree?
6.7% of residents of the City of Newcastle aged 15 and over held a postgraduate degree as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 14th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (6.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Newcastle have a university degree?
19.1% of residents of the City of Newcastle aged 15 and over held a bachelor degree as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, 12th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (17.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Newcastle have a diploma?
8.8% of residents of the City of Newcastle aged 15 and over held an advanced diploma or diploma as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, joint 7th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (9.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Newcastle have a trade or certificate qualification?
20.3% of residents of the City of Newcastle aged 15 and over held a certificate (levels I to IV, including trade qualifications) as their highest non-school qualification at the 2021 Census, joint 16th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (19.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many teenagers in Newcastle are in work or study?
80.5% of 15 to 19 year olds in the City of Newcastle were fully engaged in work or study at the 2021 Census (35.5% 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 Newcastle?
1,622 four-year-olds and 683 five-year-olds were enrolled in a preschool program in the City of Newcastle in 2024; 2,117 children attended 15 hours or more a week.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Newcastle are repaying student loans?
11,224 residents of the City of Newcastle made a repayment on a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt in 2021-22, which is 65 per 1,000 residents (4th highest of 26 areas; Australia 45).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Newcastle compares with other cities in Australia
Residents aged 15+ who completed Year 12, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Newcastle 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+ who completed Year 12, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 20 | Gold Coast-Tweed Heads | 56.0% |
Residents aged 15+ with a bachelor degree as highest non-school qualification, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Newcastle ranks 12 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Greater Sydney | 21.8% |
| 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% |
Teenagers (15 to 19) fully engaged in work or study, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Newcastle ranks 15 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 18 | Gold Coast | 79.6% |
More on Newcastle: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- 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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