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 Cairnlea, accounting for 49.7% (4,029 people). This share was higher than Brimbank (C) (48.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in no qualification, which increased by 3,958 people and 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Cairnlea - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Cairnlea in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brimbank (C) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairnlea, with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
1,862
% of total
23.0%
Change from 2016
+17.6pp
1,862
23.0%
+17.6pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
668
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
668
8.2%
+2.1pp
Vocational
2021 count
1,035
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
-14.4pp
1,035
12.8%
-14.4pp
No Qualification
2021 count
4,029
% of total
49.7%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
4,029
49.7%
+1.4pp
Not Stated
2021 count
512
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-6.6pp
512
6.3%
-6.6pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+1,854
+17.6pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+659
+2.1pp
Vocational
+995
-14.4pp
No Qualification
+3,958
+1.4pp
Not Stated
+493
-6.6pp
Data table
Qualifications for Cairnlea. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brimbank (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Brimbank (C)% | Count | % | Brimbank (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 1,862 | 23.0% | 19.8% | 8 | 5.4% | 16.0% | +1,854 | +17.6pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 668 | 8.2% | 8.2% | 9 | 6.1% | 8.0% | +659 | +2.1pp |
| Vocational | 1,035 | 12.8% | 14.6% | 40 | 27.2% | 15.0% | +995 | -14.4pp |
| No Qualification | 4,029 | 49.7% | 48.3% | 71 | 48.3% | 51.0% | +3,958 | +1.4pp |
| Not Stated | 512 | 6.3% | 9.0% | 19 | 12.9% | 10.1% | +493 | -6.6pp |
| Total | 8,106 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 147 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +7,959 | 0.0pp |