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 Cumberland (A), accounting for 42.2% (79,637 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (34.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 12,223 people and 4.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Cumberland (A) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Cumberland (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cumberland (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
50,279
% of total
26.7%
Change from 2016
+4.5pp
50,279
26.7%
+4.5pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
16,921
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
16,921
9.0%
+0.5pp
Vocational
2021 count
21,425
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
21,425
11.4%
-0.9pp
No Qualification
2021 count
79,637
% of total
42.2%
Change from 2016
-5.3pp
79,637
42.2%
-5.3pp
Not Stated
2021 count
20,291
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
20,291
10.8%
+1.3pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+12,223
+4.5pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+2,368
+0.5pp
Vocational
+266
-0.9pp
No Qualification
-1,999
-5.3pp
Not Stated
+3,988
+1.3pp
Data table
Qualifications for Cumberland (A). Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 50,279 | 26.7% | 33.3% | 38,056 | 22.2% | 28.3% | +12,223 | +4.5pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 16,921 | 9.0% | 9.7% | 14,553 | 8.5% | 9.3% | +2,368 | +0.5pp |
| Vocational | 21,425 | 11.4% | 14.8% | 21,159 | 12.3% | 15.1% | +266 | -0.9pp |
| No Qualification | 79,637 | 42.2% | 34.2% | 81,636 | 47.5% | 37.7% | -1,999 | -5.3pp |
| Not Stated | 20,291 | 10.8% | 8.0% | 16,303 | 9.5% | 9.6% | +3,988 | +1.3pp |
| Total | 188,553 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 171,707 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +16,846 | 0.0pp |