Education
Qualifications
About this topic
Qualifications records the highest non-school qualification completed by people aged 15 years and over. It describes post-school educational attainment such as certificates, diplomas, and university degrees.
This topic is a key indicator of skill level and socio-economic opportunity within an area. It is most useful when read with employment status, occupation, and income, which show how qualifications relate to labour market outcomes.
Interpretation notes
- This topic uses highest completed non-school qualification, so incomplete study and current enrolment do not count as attained qualifications.
- It applies to people aged 15 years and over and should be read with schooling for the full education profile.
Related topics
Key insight
In 2021, bachelor degree or higher was the most common qualification level among residents aged 15 and over in Adelaide, accounting for 45.6% (7,867 people). This share was similar to Adelaide (C) (45.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 2,630 people and 9.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Adelaide - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Adelaide in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Adelaide (C) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Adelaide, with comparison markers for Adelaide (C).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
7,867
% of total
45.6%
Change from 2016
+9.2pp
7,867
45.6%
+9.2pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
1,420
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,420
8.2%
-0.2pp
Vocational
2021 count
1,452
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
1,452
8.4%
+0.8pp
No Qualification
2021 count
4,822
% of total
27.9%
Change from 2016
-5.4pp
4,822
27.9%
-5.4pp
Not Stated
2021 count
1,698
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
1,698
9.8%
-4.5pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+2,630
+9.2pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+211
-0.2pp
Vocational
+364
+0.8pp
No Qualification
+35
-5.4pp
Not Stated
-356
-4.5pp
Data table
Qualifications for Adelaide. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Adelaide (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Adelaide (C)% | Count | % | Adelaide (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 7,867 | 45.6% | 45.5% | 5,237 | 36.4% | 37.2% | +2,630 | +9.2pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 1,420 | 8.2% | 8.0% | 1,209 | 8.4% | 8.1% | +211 | -0.2pp |
| Vocational | 1,452 | 8.4% | 8.8% | 1,088 | 7.6% | 8.1% | +364 | +0.8pp |
| No Qualification | 4,822 | 27.9% | 27.8% | 4,787 | 33.3% | 32.8% | +35 | -5.4pp |
| Not Stated | 1,698 | 9.8% | 9.9% | 2,054 | 14.3% | 13.8% | -356 | -4.5pp |
| Total | 17,259 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,375 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,884 | 0.0pp |