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, no qualification was the most common qualification level among residents aged 15 and over in East Ballina, accounting for 31.4% (1,557 people). This share was lower than Ballina (A) (35.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 290 people and 4.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
East Ballina - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for East Ballina in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Ballina, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
1,378
% of total
27.8%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
1,378
27.8%
+4.4pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
554
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
554
11.2%
+0.6pp
Vocational
2021 count
1,095
% of total
22.1%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
1,095
22.1%
-1.4pp
No Qualification
2021 count
1,557
% of total
31.4%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
1,557
31.4%
-3.0pp
Not Stated
2021 count
377
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
377
7.6%
-0.6pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+290
+4.4pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+63
+0.6pp
Vocational
+3
-1.4pp
No Qualification
-45
-3.0pp
Not Stated
-3
-0.6pp
Data table
Qualifications for East Ballina. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Ballina (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Ballina (A)% | Count | % | Ballina (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 1,378 | 27.8% | 22.7% | 1,088 | 23.4% | 18.8% | +290 | +4.4pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 554 | 11.2% | 10.3% | 491 | 10.6% | 9.5% | +63 | +0.6pp |
| Vocational | 1,095 | 22.1% | 22.6% | 1,092 | 23.5% | 22.2% | +3 | -1.4pp |
| No Qualification | 1,557 | 31.4% | 35.1% | 1,602 | 34.4% | 37.6% | -45 | -3.0pp |
| Not Stated | 377 | 7.6% | 9.2% | 380 | 8.2% | 11.9% | -3 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 4,961 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,653 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +308 | 0.0pp |