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 Greater Bendigo (C), accounting for 39.6% (39,062 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (40.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 4,911 people and 3.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Greater Bendigo (C) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Greater Bendigo (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Greater Bendigo (C), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
19,487
% of total
19.7%
Change from 2016
+3.4pp
19,487
19.7%
+3.4pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
9,005
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
9,005
9.1%
+0.9pp
Vocational
2021 count
22,508
% of total
22.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
22,508
22.8%
+0.4pp
No Qualification
2021 count
39,062
% of total
39.6%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
39,062
39.6%
-2.3pp
Not Stated
2021 count
8,671
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
8,671
8.8%
-2.4pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+4,911
+3.4pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+1,685
+0.9pp
Vocational
+2,470
+0.4pp
No Qualification
+1,684
-2.3pp
Not Stated
-1,300
-2.4pp
Data table
Qualifications for Greater Bendigo (C). Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 19,487 | 19.7% | 18.2% | 14,576 | 16.3% | 14.5% | +4,911 | +3.4pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 9,005 | 9.1% | 9.3% | 7,320 | 8.2% | 8.5% | +1,685 | +0.9pp |
| Vocational | 22,508 | 22.8% | 22.4% | 20,038 | 22.4% | 22.0% | +2,470 | +0.4pp |
| No Qualification | 39,062 | 39.6% | 40.4% | 37,378 | 41.9% | 42.8% | +1,684 | -2.3pp |
| Not Stated | 8,671 | 8.8% | 9.7% | 9,971 | 11.2% | 12.2% | -1,300 | -2.4pp |
| Total | 98,733 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 89,283 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,450 | 0.0pp |