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 Sunshine Beach, accounting for 33.3% (721 people). This share was higher than Noosa (S) (22.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 163 people and 6.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Sunshine Beach - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Sunshine Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Noosa (S) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunshine Beach, with comparison markers for Noosa (S).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
721
% of total
33.3%
Change from 2016
+6.4pp
721
33.3%
+6.4pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
268
% of total
12.4%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
268
12.4%
+1.6pp
Vocational
2021 count
387
% of total
17.9%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
387
17.9%
-1.2pp
No Qualification
2021 count
583
% of total
26.9%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
583
26.9%
-4.7pp
Not Stated
2021 count
206
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
206
9.5%
-2.1pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+163
+6.4pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+44
+1.6pp
Vocational
-8
-1.2pp
No Qualification
-72
-4.7pp
Not Stated
-35
-2.1pp
Data table
Qualifications for Sunshine Beach. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Noosa (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Noosa (S)% | Count | % | Noosa (S)% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 721 | 33.3% | 22.8% | 558 | 26.9% | 17.9% | +163 | +6.4pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 268 | 12.4% | 11.7% | 224 | 10.8% | 11.0% | +44 | +1.6pp |
| Vocational | 387 | 17.9% | 22.3% | 395 | 19.1% | 22.8% | -8 | -1.2pp |
| No Qualification | 583 | 26.9% | 33.4% | 655 | 31.6% | 37.4% | -72 | -4.7pp |
| Not Stated | 206 | 9.5% | 9.7% | 241 | 11.6% | 10.9% | -35 | -2.1pp |
| Total | 2,165 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,073 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +92 | 0.0pp |