EDUCATION
Definition
This topic refers to the highest level of school completed, current study, and the completion of non-school qualifications.
Current study refers to the respondent being enrolled and has commenced study at a school or other educational institution.
Non-school qualifications are awarded for education attainments other than those of pre-primary, primary or secondary education. Non-school qualifications may be attained concurrently with school qualifications.
Population
Information was collected for all persons aged 15 years and over in the NHS and NNPAS.
Methodology
Educational attainment and Main field of highest non-school qualification were classified to the Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED) 2001 (cat no. 1272.0).
Highest year of school completed
For years up to and including Year 11, the term 'completed' means to attend for the full school year such that progression to the following year of school is enabled. For Year 12, 'completed' requires only attendance for the full year. Further details of the definitions used are available on request.
Output categories are:
- year 12
- year 11
- year 10
- year 9
- year 8 or below
- never attended school.
Highest non-school educational attainment
Respondents were asked if they had completed a trade certificate, diploma, degree or any other educational qualification. Those who had were asked to provide details of that qualification, including level and main field of study.
Output categories for level of highest non-school qualification are:
- postgraduate degree
- graduate diploma/graduate certificate
- bachelor degree
- advanced diploma/diploma
- certificate III/IV
- certificate I/II
- certificate not further defined
- no non-school qualification
- level not determined.
Output categories for main field of highest non-school qualification are:
- natural and physical sciences
- information technology
- engineering and related technologies
- architecture and building
- agriculture, environmental and related studies
- health
- education
- management and commerce
- society and culture
- creative arts
- food, hospitality and personal services
- mixed field programmes
- inadequately described.
A more detailed classification is also available for main field of highest non-school qualification.
Current study
Respondents were asked whether they were currently studying for an educational qualification.
Information is collected about whether the current study was full-time or part-time. The status of these items is determined by the way the respondent's enrolment is classified by the educational institution they are attending; if uncertain, the respondent's reported status was recorded. Apprentices who attend one day per week or on block release were classified as in part-time study.
Current study excludes respondents who:
- have enrolled but not yet commenced study
- are undertaking adult education courses, hobby courses, recreational TAFE courses and other similar courses.
Respondents in the NHS were also asked what level of qualification they were currently studying for and their main field of study. Qualification and fields of study are the same as those listed above other than the addition of a category for those students who are secondary school students only.
Respondents in the NHS were also asked at what type of institution they were currently enrolled at:
- secondary school
- university/other higher education institute
- TAFE/technical college
- business college
- industry skills centre
- other.
Interpretation
Points to be considered in interpreting this topic include the following:
- Persons aged 15-19 years who identified they were not studying for a qualification but were reported as attending secondary school full-time on the household form, are included as currently studying. If a 15-19 year old was identified as undertaking both full-time secondary school studies as well as some other qualification, the other qualification took precedence over the responses, including cases where the qualification study was part-time.
- Respondents reporting current study were required to be enrolled and currently participating in the course.
Comparability with 2007-08
Education is considered to be directly comparable between 2007-08 and 2011-12.
Level and main field of current study are new items in 2011-12 NHS.
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