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 Portsmith, accounting for 27.1% (76 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (35.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in vocational, which decreased by 15 people and 6.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Portsmith - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Portsmith in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Portsmith, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
18
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
+4.8pp
18
6.4%
+4.8pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
13
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
13
4.6%
+0.3pp
Vocational
2021 count
32
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
-6.9pp
32
11.4%
-6.9pp
No Qualification
2021 count
76
% of total
27.1%
Change from 2016
-7.1pp
76
27.1%
-7.1pp
Not Stated
2021 count
141
% of total
50.4%
Change from 2016
+8.8pp
141
50.4%
+8.8pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+14
+4.8pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+2
+0.3pp
Vocational
-15
-6.9pp
No Qualification
-12
-7.1pp
Not Stated
+34
+8.8pp
Data table
Qualifications for Portsmith. 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 | 18 | 6.4% | 19.1% | 4 | 1.6% | 16.2% | +14 | +4.8pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 13 | 4.6% | 9.8% | 11 | 4.3% | 9.2% | +2 | +0.3pp |
| Vocational | 32 | 11.4% | 23.7% | 47 | 18.3% | 23.0% | -15 | -6.9pp |
| No Qualification | 76 | 27.1% | 35.5% | 88 | 34.2% | 38.4% | -12 | -7.1pp |
| Not Stated | 141 | 50.4% | 11.8% | 107 | 41.6% | 13.1% | +34 | +8.8pp |
| Total | 280 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 257 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +23 | 0.0pp |