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 Merrylands (part), accounting for 44.3% (11,397 people). This share was higher than Cumberland (A) (42.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in no qualification, which increased by 11,296 people and 10.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Merrylands (part) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Merrylands (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cumberland (A) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Merrylands (part), with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
5,673
% of total
22.0%
Change from 2016
+4.7pp
5,673
22.0%
+4.7pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
2,317
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
2,317
9.0%
-1.3pp
Vocational
2021 count
3,139
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
-18.5pp
3,139
12.2%
-18.5pp
No Qualification
2021 count
11,397
% of total
44.3%
Change from 2016
+10.6pp
11,397
44.3%
+10.6pp
Not Stated
2021 count
3,210
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
+4.5pp
3,210
12.5%
+4.5pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+5,621
+4.7pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+2,286
-1.3pp
Vocational
+3,047
-18.5pp
No Qualification
+11,296
+10.6pp
Not Stated
+3,186
+4.5pp
Data table
Qualifications for Merrylands (part). Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cumberland (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cumberland (A)% | Count | % | Cumberland (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 5,673 | 22.0% | 26.7% | 52 | 17.3% | 22.2% | +5,621 | +4.7pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 2,317 | 9.0% | 9.0% | 31 | 10.3% | 8.5% | +2,286 | -1.3pp |
| Vocational | 3,139 | 12.2% | 11.4% | 92 | 30.7% | 12.3% | +3,047 | -18.5pp |
| No Qualification | 11,397 | 44.3% | 42.2% | 101 | 33.7% | 47.5% | +11,296 | +10.6pp |
| Not Stated | 3,210 | 12.5% | 10.8% | 24 | 8.0% | 9.5% | +3,186 | +4.5pp |
| Total | 25,736 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 300 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +25,436 | 0.0pp |