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 Cairns North, accounting for 27.2% (1,281 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (19.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 1,271 people and 11.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Cairns North - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Cairns North in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairns North, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
1,281
% of total
27.2%
Change from 2016
+11.3pp
1,281
27.2%
+11.3pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
490
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
+4.1pp
490
10.4%
+4.1pp
Vocational
2021 count
766
% of total
16.2%
Change from 2016
-9.2pp
766
16.2%
-9.2pp
No Qualification
2021 count
1,233
% of total
26.1%
Change from 2016
-10.4pp
1,233
26.1%
-10.4pp
Not Stated
2021 count
948
% of total
20.1%
Change from 2016
+4.2pp
948
20.1%
+4.2pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+1,271
+11.3pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+486
+4.1pp
Vocational
+750
-9.2pp
No Qualification
+1,210
-10.4pp
Not Stated
+938
+4.2pp
Data table
Qualifications for Cairns North. 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 | 1,281 | 27.2% | 19.1% | 10 | 15.9% | 16.2% | +1,271 | +11.3pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 490 | 10.4% | 9.8% | 4 | 6.3% | 9.2% | +486 | +4.1pp |
| Vocational | 766 | 16.2% | 23.7% | 16 | 25.4% | 23.0% | +750 | -9.2pp |
| No Qualification | 1,233 | 26.1% | 35.5% | 23 | 36.5% | 38.4% | +1,210 | -10.4pp |
| Not Stated | 948 | 20.1% | 11.8% | 10 | 15.9% | 13.1% | +938 | +4.2pp |
| Total | 4,718 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 63 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,655 | 0.0pp |