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 Palm Cove, accounting for 33.2% (724 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (35.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in no qualification, which increased by 643 people, while its share fell by 16.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Palm Cove - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Palm Cove in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Palm Cove, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
513
% of total
23.5%
Change from 2016
+15.0pp
513
23.5%
+15.0pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
267
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
+8.5pp
267
12.2%
+8.5pp
Vocational
2021 count
437
% of total
20.0%
Change from 2016
-11.7pp
437
20.0%
-11.7pp
No Qualification
2021 count
724
% of total
33.2%
Change from 2016
-16.2pp
724
33.2%
-16.2pp
Not Stated
2021 count
243
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
243
11.1%
+4.4pp
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+499
+15.0pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+261
+8.5pp
Vocational
+385
-11.7pp
No Qualification
+643
-16.2pp
Not Stated
+232
+4.4pp
Data table
Qualifications for Palm Cove. 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 | 513 | 23.5% | 19.1% | 14 | 8.5% | 16.2% | +499 | +15.0pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 267 | 12.2% | 9.8% | 6 | 3.7% | 9.2% | +261 | +8.5pp |
| Vocational | 437 | 20.0% | 23.7% | 52 | 31.7% | 23.0% | +385 | -11.7pp |
| No Qualification | 724 | 33.2% | 35.5% | 81 | 49.4% | 38.4% | +643 | -16.2pp |
| Not Stated | 243 | 11.1% | 11.8% | 11 | 6.7% | 13.1% | +232 | +4.4pp |
| Total | 2,184 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 164 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,020 | 0.0pp |