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 Cooktown, accounting for 34.1% (756 people). This share was lower than Cook (S) (35.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 70 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Cooktown - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Cooktown in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cook (S) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cooktown, with comparison markers for Cook (S).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
314
% of total
14.2%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
314
14.2%
+2.6pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
156
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
156
7.0%
-1.0pp
Vocational
2021 count
551
% of total
24.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
551
24.9%
-0.1pp
No Qualification
2021 count
756
% of total
34.1%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
756
34.1%
+0.7pp
Not Stated
2021 count
438
% of total
19.8%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
438
19.8%
-2.2pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+70
+2.6pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
-13
-1.0pp
Vocational
+24
-0.1pp
No Qualification
+52
+0.7pp
Not Stated
-25
-2.2pp
Data table
Qualifications for Cooktown. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cook (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cook (S)% | Count | % | Cook (S)% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 314 | 14.2% | 12.3% | 244 | 11.6% | 10.6% | +70 | +2.6pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 156 | 7.0% | 6.9% | 169 | 8.0% | 7.2% | -13 | -1.0pp |
| Vocational | 551 | 24.9% | 23.9% | 527 | 25.0% | 23.8% | +24 | -0.1pp |
| No Qualification | 756 | 34.1% | 35.1% | 704 | 33.4% | 35.8% | +52 | +0.7pp |
| Not Stated | 438 | 19.8% | 21.9% | 463 | 22.0% | 22.5% | -25 | -2.2pp |
| Total | 2,215 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,107 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +108 | 0.0pp |