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 Blue Mountains (C), accounting for 32.7% (21,072 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (33.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 3,799 people and 5.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Blue Mountains (C) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Blue Mountains (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Blue Mountains (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
21,072
% of total
32.7%
Change from 2016
+5.2pp
21,072
32.7%
+5.2pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
7,471
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
7,471
11.6%
-0.1pp
Vocational
2021 count
13,297
% of total
20.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
13,297
20.6%
-0.2pp
No Qualification
2021 count
18,770
% of total
29.1%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
18,770
29.1%
-2.5pp
Not Stated
2021 count
3,881
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
3,881
6.0%
-2.4pp
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+3,799
+5.2pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+103
-0.1pp
Vocational
+229
-0.2pp
No Qualification
-1,094
-2.5pp
Not Stated
-1,376
-2.4pp
Data table
Qualifications for Blue Mountains (C). Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 21,072 | 32.7% | 33.3% | 17,273 | 27.5% | 28.3% | +3,799 | +5.2pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 7,471 | 11.6% | 9.7% | 7,368 | 11.7% | 9.3% | +103 | -0.1pp |
| Vocational | 13,297 | 20.6% | 14.8% | 13,068 | 20.8% | 15.1% | +229 | -0.2pp |
| No Qualification | 18,770 | 29.1% | 34.2% | 19,864 | 31.6% | 37.7% | -1,094 | -2.5pp |
| Not Stated | 3,881 | 6.0% | 8.0% | 5,257 | 8.4% | 9.6% | -1,376 | -2.4pp |
| Total | 64,491 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 62,830 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,661 | 0.0pp |