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 McLaren Vale, accounting for 39.1% (1,372 people). This share was lower than Onkaparinga (C) (40.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 150 people and 3.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
McLaren Vale - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for McLaren Vale in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Onkaparinga (C) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for McLaren Vale, with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
651
% of total
18.6%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
651
18.6%
+3.5pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
382
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
382
10.9%
+0.6pp
Vocational
2021 count
784
% of total
22.3%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
784
22.3%
-0.6pp
No Qualification
2021 count
1,372
% of total
39.1%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
1,372
39.1%
-1.9pp
Not Stated
2021 count
319
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
319
9.1%
-1.6pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+150
+3.5pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+40
+0.6pp
Vocational
+25
-0.6pp
No Qualification
+10
-1.9pp
Not Stated
-38
-1.6pp
Data table
Qualifications for McLaren Vale. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Onkaparinga (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Onkaparinga (C)% | Count | % | Onkaparinga (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 651 | 18.6% | 16.6% | 501 | 15.1% | 13.4% | +150 | +3.5pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 382 | 10.9% | 9.3% | 342 | 10.3% | 9.1% | +40 | +0.6pp |
| Vocational | 784 | 22.3% | 26.9% | 759 | 22.9% | 25.8% | +25 | -0.6pp |
| No Qualification | 1,372 | 39.1% | 40.6% | 1,362 | 41.0% | 43.2% | +10 | -1.9pp |
| Not Stated | 319 | 9.1% | 6.7% | 357 | 10.7% | 8.5% | -38 | -1.6pp |
| Total | 3,508 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,321 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +187 | 0.0pp |