Education
Qualifications
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.
Related topics
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.
Key insight
In 2021, no qualification was the most common qualification level among residents aged 15 and over in West Mackay, accounting for 39.5% (2,150 people). This share was lower than Mackay (R) (41%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 155 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
West Mackay - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for West Mackay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for West Mackay, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
Vocational
No Qualification
Not Stated
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+155
+1.9pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+44
+0.4pp
Vocational
+134
+1.0pp
No Qualification
+22
-2.3pp
Not Stated
-5
-1.0pp
Data table
Qualifications for West 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 | 882 | 16.2% | 12.3% | 727 | 14.3% | 10.6% | +155 | +1.9pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 369 | 6.8% | 6.7% | 325 | 6.4% | 6.3% | +44 | +0.4pp |
| Vocational | 1,316 | 24.2% | 27.8% | 1,182 | 23.2% | 26.7% | +134 | +1.0pp |
| No Qualification | 2,150 | 39.5% | 41.0% | 2,128 | 41.8% | 44.2% | +22 | -2.3pp |
| Not Stated | 724 | 13.3% | 12.2% | 729 | 14.3% | 12.1% | -5 | -1.0pp |
| Total | 5,441 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,091 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +350 | 0.0pp |