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 Ashtonfield, accounting for 38.1% (1,382 people). This share was lower than Maitland (C) (40.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 104 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Ashtonfield - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Ashtonfield in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Maitland (C) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ashtonfield, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
733
% of total
20.2%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
733
20.2%
+2.3pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
386
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
386
10.6%
-0.3pp
Vocational
2021 count
949
% of total
26.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
949
26.1%
+0.4pp
No Qualification
2021 count
1,382
% of total
38.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,382
38.1%
0.0pp
Not Stated
2021 count
182
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
182
5.0%
-2.5pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+104
+2.3pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+2
-0.3pp
Vocational
+46
+0.4pp
No Qualification
+42
0.0pp
Not Stated
-82
-2.5pp
Data table
Qualifications for Ashtonfield. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Maitland (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Maitland (C)% | Count | % | Maitland (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 733 | 20.2% | 15.4% | 629 | 17.9% | 12.7% | +104 | +2.3pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 386 | 10.6% | 9.4% | 384 | 10.9% | 8.7% | +2 | -0.3pp |
| Vocational | 949 | 26.1% | 28.2% | 903 | 25.7% | 26.8% | +46 | +0.4pp |
| No Qualification | 1,382 | 38.1% | 40.4% | 1,340 | 38.1% | 43.1% | +42 | 0.0pp |
| Not Stated | 182 | 5.0% | 6.5% | 264 | 7.5% | 8.7% | -82 | -2.5pp |
| Total | 3,632 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,520 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +112 | 0.0pp |