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.

Key insight

In 2021, bachelor degree or higher was the most common qualification level among residents aged 15 and over in Byron (A), accounting for 30.3% (9,186 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (17.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 2,958 people and 6.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Highest qualification achieved

Byron (A) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)

This table summarises qualifications for Byron (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.

Highest qualification achieved snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Byron (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.

Byron (A)
Regional NSW

Bachelor Or Higher Degree

2021 count

9,186

% of total

30.3%

Change from 2016

+6.6pp

Advanced Diploma Or Diploma

2021 count

3,359

% of total

11.1%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Vocational

2021 count

5,306

% of total

17.5%

Change from 2016

-1.4pp

No Qualification

2021 count

8,508

% of total

28.1%

Change from 2016

-2.4pp

Not Stated

2021 count

3,940

% of total

13.0%

Change from 2016

-3.3pp

Data table

Qualifications for Byron (A). Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.

Qualifications for Byron (A). Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Qualifications for Byron (A). Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional NSW%Count%Regional NSW%Countpp
Bachelor Or Higher Degree9,18630.3%17.8%6,22823.7%14.5%+2,958+6.6pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma3,35911.1%8.7%2,78710.6%8.2%+572+0.5pp
Vocational5,30617.5%24.4%4,95518.9%23.6%+351-1.4pp
No Qualification8,50828.1%39.1%8,00230.5%41.7%+506-2.4pp
Not Stated3,94013.0%10.0%4,29316.3%12.1%-353-3.3pp
Total30,299100.0%100.0%26,265100.0%100.0%+4,0340.0pp