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 Gladstone (R), accounting for 41% (20,454 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (39.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in vocational, which increased by 1,412 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Gladstone (R) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Gladstone (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Gladstone (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
5,989
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
5,989
12.0%
+0.8pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
3,440
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
3,440
6.9%
+0.3pp
Vocational
2021 count
15,064
% of total
30.2%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
15,064
30.2%
+1.6pp
No Qualification
2021 count
20,454
% of total
41.0%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
20,454
41.0%
-1.6pp
Not Stated
2021 count
4,921
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
4,921
9.9%
-1.1pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+658
+0.8pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+293
+0.3pp
Vocational
+1,412
+1.6pp
No Qualification
+125
-1.6pp
Not Stated
-316
-1.1pp
Data table
Qualifications for Gladstone (R). Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 5,989 | 12.0% | 17.1% | 5,331 | 11.2% | 14.0% | +658 | +0.8pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 3,440 | 6.9% | 9.1% | 3,147 | 6.6% | 8.3% | +293 | +0.3pp |
| Vocational | 15,064 | 30.2% | 24.1% | 13,652 | 28.6% | 23.1% | +1,412 | +1.6pp |
| No Qualification | 20,454 | 41.0% | 39.2% | 20,329 | 42.6% | 42.4% | +125 | -1.6pp |
| Not Stated | 4,921 | 9.9% | 10.5% | 5,237 | 11.0% | 12.1% | -316 | -1.1pp |
| Total | 49,868 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 47,696 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,172 | 0.0pp |