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 (R), accounting for 35.5% (48,004 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (39.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 5,586 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Cairns (R) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Cairns (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairns (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
25,828
% of total
19.1%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
25,828
19.1%
+2.9pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
13,280
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
13,280
9.8%
+0.6pp
Vocational
2021 count
32,081
% of total
23.7%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
32,081
23.7%
+0.7pp
No Qualification
2021 count
48,004
% of total
35.5%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
48,004
35.5%
-2.9pp
Not Stated
2021 count
15,906
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
15,906
11.8%
-1.3pp
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+5,586
+2.9pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+1,744
+0.6pp
Vocational
+3,336
+0.7pp
No Qualification
+40
-2.9pp
Not Stated
-402
-1.3pp
Data table
Qualifications for Cairns (R). Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 25,828 | 19.1% | 17.1% | 20,242 | 16.2% | 14.0% | +5,586 | +2.9pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 13,280 | 9.8% | 9.1% | 11,536 | 9.2% | 8.3% | +1,744 | +0.6pp |
| Vocational | 32,081 | 23.7% | 24.1% | 28,745 | 23.0% | 23.1% | +3,336 | +0.7pp |
| No Qualification | 48,004 | 35.5% | 39.2% | 47,964 | 38.4% | 42.4% | +40 | -2.9pp |
| Not Stated | 15,906 | 11.8% | 10.5% | 16,308 | 13.1% | 12.1% | -402 | -1.3pp |
| Total | 135,099 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 124,795 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,304 | 0.0pp |