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 Fairfield (C), accounting for 58% (99,322 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (34.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 4,563 people and 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Fairfield (C) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Fairfield (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Fairfield (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
22,775
% of total
13.3%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
22,775
13.3%
+2.0pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
12,338
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
12,338
7.2%
0.0pp
Vocational
2021 count
21,583
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
21,583
12.6%
-1.0pp
No Qualification
2021 count
99,322
% of total
58.0%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
99,322
58.0%
-1.5pp
Not Stated
2021 count
15,210
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
15,210
8.9%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+4,563
+2.0pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+804
0.0pp
Vocational
-344
-1.0pp
No Qualification
+3,624
-1.5pp
Not Stated
+1,701
+0.5pp
Data table
Qualifications for Fairfield (C). 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 | 22,775 | 13.3% | 33.3% | 18,212 | 11.3% | 28.3% | +4,563 | +2.0pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 12,338 | 7.2% | 9.7% | 11,534 | 7.2% | 9.3% | +804 | 0.0pp |
| Vocational | 21,583 | 12.6% | 14.8% | 21,927 | 13.6% | 15.1% | -344 | -1.0pp |
| No Qualification | 99,322 | 58.0% | 34.2% | 95,698 | 59.5% | 37.7% | +3,624 | -1.5pp |
| Not Stated | 15,210 | 8.9% | 8.0% | 13,509 | 8.4% | 9.6% | +1,701 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 171,228 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 160,880 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,348 | 0.0pp |