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, bachelor degree or higher was the most common qualification level among residents aged 15 and over in Inner West (A), accounting for 48.2% (75,306 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (33.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 11,038 people and 6.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Inner West (A) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Inner West (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Inner West (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
75,306
% of total
48.2%
Change from 2016
+6.5pp
75,306
48.2%
+6.5pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
14,231
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
14,231
9.1%
+0.2pp
Vocational
2021 count
15,767
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
15,767
10.1%
-0.1pp
No Qualification
2021 count
40,269
% of total
25.8%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
40,269
25.8%
-3.2pp
Not Stated
2021 count
10,544
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
10,544
6.8%
-3.4pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+11,038
+6.5pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+473
+0.2pp
Vocational
-23
-0.1pp
No Qualification
-4,378
-3.2pp
Not Stated
-5,121
-3.4pp
Data table
Qualifications for Inner West (A). 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 | 75,306 | 48.2% | 33.3% | 64,268 | 41.7% | 28.3% | +11,038 | +6.5pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 14,231 | 9.1% | 9.7% | 13,758 | 8.9% | 9.3% | +473 | +0.2pp |
| Vocational | 15,767 | 10.1% | 14.8% | 15,790 | 10.2% | 15.1% | -23 | -0.1pp |
| No Qualification | 40,269 | 25.8% | 34.2% | 44,647 | 29.0% | 37.7% | -4,378 | -3.2pp |
| Not Stated | 10,544 | 6.8% | 8.0% | 15,665 | 10.2% | 9.6% | -5,121 | -3.4pp |
| Total | 156,117 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 154,128 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,989 | 0.0pp |