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 Gold Coast (C), accounting for 35.4% (182,615 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (39.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 33,730 people and 4.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Gold Coast (C) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Gold Coast (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Gold Coast (C), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
112,142
% of total
21.8%
Change from 2016
+4.6pp
112,142
21.8%
+4.6pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
58,421
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
58,421
11.3%
+1.0pp
Vocational
2021 count
114,170
% of total
22.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
114,170
22.2%
+0.4pp
No Qualification
2021 count
182,615
% of total
35.4%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
182,615
35.4%
-3.8pp
Not Stated
2021 count
47,805
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
47,805
9.3%
-2.1pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+33,730
+4.6pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+11,623
+1.0pp
Vocational
+14,804
+0.4pp
No Qualification
+4,171
-3.8pp
Not Stated
-4,041
-2.1pp
Data table
Qualifications for Gold Coast (C). 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 | 112,142 | 21.8% | 17.1% | 78,412 | 17.2% | 14.0% | +33,730 | +4.6pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 58,421 | 11.3% | 9.1% | 46,798 | 10.3% | 8.3% | +11,623 | +1.0pp |
| Vocational | 114,170 | 22.2% | 24.1% | 99,366 | 21.8% | 23.1% | +14,804 | +0.4pp |
| No Qualification | 182,615 | 35.4% | 39.2% | 178,444 | 39.2% | 42.4% | +4,171 | -3.8pp |
| Not Stated | 47,805 | 9.3% | 10.5% | 51,846 | 11.4% | 12.1% | -4,041 | -2.1pp |
| Total | 515,153 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 454,866 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +60,287 | 0.0pp |