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 Machans Beach, accounting for 32.6% (255 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (35.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 33 people and 6.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Machans Beach - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Machans Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Machans Beach, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
196
% of total
25.1%
Change from 2016
+6.7pp
196
25.1%
+6.7pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
89
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
+3.4pp
89
11.4%
+3.4pp
Vocational
2021 count
184
% of total
23.5%
Change from 2016
+5.8pp
184
23.5%
+5.8pp
No Qualification
2021 count
255
% of total
32.6%
Change from 2016
+6.1pp
255
32.6%
+6.1pp
Not Stated
2021 count
58
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-21.9pp
58
7.4%
-21.9pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+33
+6.7pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+18
+3.4pp
Vocational
+27
+5.8pp
No Qualification
+20
+6.1pp
Not Stated
-202
-21.9pp
Data table
Qualifications for Machans Beach. 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 | 196 | 25.1% | 19.1% | 163 | 18.4% | 16.2% | +33 | +6.7pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 89 | 11.4% | 9.8% | 71 | 8.0% | 9.2% | +18 | +3.4pp |
| Vocational | 184 | 23.5% | 23.7% | 157 | 17.7% | 23.0% | +27 | +5.8pp |
| No Qualification | 255 | 32.6% | 35.5% | 235 | 26.5% | 38.4% | +20 | +6.1pp |
| Not Stated | 58 | 7.4% | 11.8% | 260 | 29.3% | 13.1% | -202 | -21.9pp |
| Total | 782 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 886 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -104 | 0.0pp |