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Highest year of school completed (HSCP)

Census of Population and Housing: Census dictionary
Reference period
2021

Definition

This variable records the highest level of primary or secondary schooling completed. The data is used to help build a picture of the education levels attained in each area of Australia and to assist in the planning of educational facilities.

Scope

Persons aged 15 years and over

Categories

CodeCategory
1Year 12 or equivalent
2Year 11 or equivalent
3Year 10 or equivalent
4Year 9 or equivalent
5Year 8 or below
6Did not go to school
&Not stated
@Not applicable
VOverseas visitor

Coded using the Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED), 2001.

Number of categories: 9

Not applicable (@) category comprises:

  • Persons aged under 15 years

See the Glossary for further information about the meaning of ‘or equivalent level of education’.

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information.

Question(s) from the Census form

What is the highest year of primary or secondary school the person has completed?

What is the highest year of primary or secondary school the person has completed?
What is the highest year of primary or secondary school Person 1 has completed?

For people currently at school, select the highest year of schooling they have completed, not the year they are currently undertaking.

More information

Person's highest year of school completed

Year 12 or equivalent

Year 11 or equivalent

Year 10 or equivalent

Year 9 or equivalent

Year 8 or below

Did not go to school

More information

Additional information relating to the question on: What is the highest year of primary or secondary school the person has completed?

More information

What is the highest year of primary or secondary school Person 1 has completed?

For people currently at school, select the highest year of schooling they have completed, not the year they are currently undertaking.

More information

Select 'Year 12 or equivalent' if the person has completed:
• Year 13
• 6th form
• Matriculation
• Highest year of school available.
If the highest year of schooling the person has completed was in primary school, select 'Year 8 or below'.

For persons who left school and then returned after a break, select the highest year of schooling they have completed irrespective of when it was completed.

Include school level education undertaken at other institutions (e.g. at a TAFE).

How this variable is created

This variable is sourced directly from the highest year of primary or secondary school question on the Census form. The responses are captured automatically from mark box responses. Respondents are asked to only mark one response. Where respondents provided more than one response, the responses are accepted in the order they appear on the form and extra responses are rejected.

History and changes

The question relating to Highest year of school completed where respondents reported their highest level of educational attainment was first asked in the 1911 Census. In 2016 some minor adjustment to the wording of the question instructions was made for the purposes of clarity.

No changes have been made for 2021.

Data use considerations

The 'Still at school' category has been excluded from the classification since 2006. It allowed the level of highest educational attainment to be determined for people still at school. From 2006 onwards, those still studying at school and the year level they are currently in can be identified by cross-classifying Highest year of school completed (HSCP) and Type of educational institution attending (TYPP). Full-time/part-time student status (STUP) may also be used.

The non-response rate for Highest year of school completed (HSCP) was 6.6% in 2021. This is a decrease from 8.6% in 2016. 

Related variables and glossary terms

  • Type of educational institution attending (TYPP)
  • Full-time/part-time student status (STUP)
  • Level of highest educational attainment (HEAP)
  • Attainment of Year 12 or Certificate II or higher (YR12C2P)
  • Attainment of Year 12 or Certificate III or higher (YR12C3P)

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