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 Mackay, accounting for 37.1% (1,313 people). This share was lower than Mackay (R) (41%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in vocational, which increased by 147 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Mackay - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Mackay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mackay, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
539
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
539
15.2%
-0.5pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
212
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
212
6.0%
0.0pp
Vocational
2021 count
750
% of total
21.2%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
750
21.2%
+1.8pp
No Qualification
2021 count
1,313
% of total
37.1%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
1,313
37.1%
-4.5pp
Not Stated
2021 count
723
% of total
20.4%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
723
20.4%
+3.0pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+51
-0.5pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+25
0.0pp
Vocational
+147
+1.8pp
No Qualification
+16
-4.5pp
Not Stated
+182
+3.0pp
Data table
Qualifications for Mackay. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mackay (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mackay (R)% | Count | % | Mackay (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 539 | 15.2% | 12.3% | 488 | 15.7% | 10.6% | +51 | -0.5pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 212 | 6.0% | 6.7% | 187 | 6.0% | 6.3% | +25 | 0.0pp |
| Vocational | 750 | 21.2% | 27.8% | 603 | 19.4% | 26.7% | +147 | +1.8pp |
| No Qualification | 1,313 | 37.1% | 41.0% | 1,297 | 41.6% | 44.2% | +16 | -4.5pp |
| Not Stated | 723 | 20.4% | 12.2% | 541 | 17.4% | 12.1% | +182 | +3.0pp |
| Total | 3,537 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,116 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +421 | 0.0pp |