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 Rutherford, accounting for 46.1% (4,717 people). This share was higher than Maitland (C) (40.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in vocational, which increased by 488 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Rutherford - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Rutherford in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Maitland (C) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Rutherford, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
902
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
902
8.8%
+2.0pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
760
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
760
7.4%
+1.0pp
Vocational
2021 count
3,046
% of total
29.8%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
3,046
29.8%
+1.8pp
No Qualification
2021 count
4,717
% of total
46.1%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
4,717
46.1%
-2.0pp
Not Stated
2021 count
797
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
797
7.8%
-2.9pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+279
+2.0pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+178
+1.0pp
Vocational
+488
+1.8pp
No Qualification
+321
-2.0pp
Not Stated
-180
-2.9pp
Data table
Qualifications for Rutherford. 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 | 902 | 8.8% | 15.4% | 623 | 6.8% | 12.7% | +279 | +2.0pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 760 | 7.4% | 9.4% | 582 | 6.4% | 8.7% | +178 | +1.0pp |
| Vocational | 3,046 | 29.8% | 28.2% | 2,558 | 28.0% | 26.8% | +488 | +1.8pp |
| No Qualification | 4,717 | 46.1% | 40.4% | 4,396 | 48.1% | 43.1% | +321 | -2.0pp |
| Not Stated | 797 | 7.8% | 6.5% | 977 | 10.7% | 8.7% | -180 | -2.9pp |
| Total | 10,222 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,136 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,086 | 0.0pp |