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 Cairns City, accounting for 21.2% (724 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (35.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in no qualification, which increased by 700 people, while its share fell by 22.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Cairns City - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Cairns City in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairns City, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
668
% of total
19.5%
Change from 2016
+6.8pp
668
19.5%
+6.8pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
263
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
263
7.7%
+2.2pp
Vocational
2021 count
398
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-12.0pp
398
11.6%
-12.0pp
No Qualification
2021 count
724
% of total
21.2%
Change from 2016
-22.4pp
724
21.2%
-22.4pp
Not Stated
2021 count
1,369
% of total
40.0%
Change from 2016
+25.5pp
1,369
40.0%
+25.5pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+661
+6.8pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+260
+2.2pp
Vocational
+385
-12.0pp
No Qualification
+700
-22.4pp
Not Stated
+1,361
+25.5pp
Data table
Qualifications for Cairns City. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 668 | 19.5% | 19.1% | 7 | 12.7% | 16.2% | +661 | +6.8pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 263 | 7.7% | 9.8% | 3 | 5.5% | 9.2% | +260 | +2.2pp |
| Vocational | 398 | 11.6% | 23.7% | 13 | 23.6% | 23.0% | +385 | -12.0pp |
| No Qualification | 724 | 21.2% | 35.5% | 24 | 43.6% | 38.4% | +700 | -22.4pp |
| Not Stated | 1,369 | 40.0% | 11.8% | 8 | 14.5% | 13.1% | +1,361 | +25.5pp |
| Total | 3,422 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 55 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,367 | 0.0pp |