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.

Key insight

In 2021, bachelor degree or higher was the most common qualification level among residents aged 15 and over in Parramatta (C), accounting for 44.2% (92,827 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (33.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 24,200 people and 7 percentage points.

Section overview

Highest qualification achieved

Parramatta (C) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)

This table summarises qualifications for Parramatta (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.

Highest qualification achieved snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Parramatta (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.

Parramatta (C)
Greater Sydney

Bachelor Or Higher Degree

2021 count

92,827

% of total

44.2%

Change from 2016

+7.0pp

Advanced Diploma Or Diploma

2021 count

20,074

% of total

9.6%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Vocational

2021 count

22,545

% of total

10.7%

Change from 2016

-0.8pp

No Qualification

2021 count

57,657

% of total

27.4%

Change from 2016

-4.8pp

Not Stated

2021 count

16,984

% of total

8.1%

Change from 2016

-1.8pp

Data table

Qualifications for Parramatta (C). Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.

Qualifications for Parramatta (C). Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
Qualifications for Parramatta (C). Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Sydney%Count%Greater Sydney%Countpp
Bachelor Or Higher Degree92,82744.2%33.3%68,62737.2%28.3%+24,200+7.0pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma20,0749.6%9.7%17,0869.3%9.3%+2,988+0.3pp
Vocational22,54510.7%14.8%21,15411.5%15.1%+1,391-0.8pp
No Qualification57,65727.4%34.2%59,49532.2%37.7%-1,838-4.8pp
Not Stated16,9848.1%8.0%18,1889.9%9.6%-1,204-1.8pp
Total210,087100.0%100.0%184,550100.0%100.0%+25,5370.0pp