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 Melbourne (C), accounting for 54.2% (75,557 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (32.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 18,468 people and 9.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Melbourne (C) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Melbourne (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Melbourne (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
75,557
% of total
54.2%
Change from 2016
+9.3pp
75,557
54.2%
+9.3pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
11,593
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
11,593
8.3%
+1.1pp
Vocational
2021 count
8,826
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
8,826
6.3%
+0.9pp
No Qualification
2021 count
30,178
% of total
21.6%
Change from 2016
-7.2pp
30,178
21.6%
-7.2pp
Not Stated
2021 count
13,361
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
13,361
9.6%
-4.2pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+18,468
+9.3pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+2,459
+1.1pp
Vocational
+1,998
+0.9pp
No Qualification
-6,446
-7.2pp
Not Stated
-4,196
-4.2pp
Data table
Qualifications for Melbourne (C). Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 75,557 | 54.2% | 32.8% | 57,089 | 44.9% | 27.5% | +18,468 | +9.3pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 11,593 | 8.3% | 9.9% | 9,134 | 7.2% | 9.5% | +2,459 | +1.1pp |
| Vocational | 8,826 | 6.3% | 14.8% | 6,828 | 5.4% | 15.3% | +1,998 | +0.9pp |
| No Qualification | 30,178 | 21.6% | 35.2% | 36,624 | 28.8% | 38.6% | -6,446 | -7.2pp |
| Not Stated | 13,361 | 9.6% | 7.2% | 17,557 | 13.8% | 9.2% | -4,196 | -4.2pp |
| Total | 139,515 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 127,232 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +12,283 | 0.0pp |