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 Northmead, accounting for 35.3% (3,214 people). This share was lower than Parramatta (C) (44.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 265 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Northmead - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Northmead in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Parramatta (C) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Northmead, with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
3,214
% of total
35.3%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
3,214
35.3%
+2.9pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
953
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
953
10.5%
+0.3pp
Vocational
2021 count
1,500
% of total
16.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,500
16.5%
-0.2pp
No Qualification
2021 count
2,803
% of total
30.8%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
2,803
30.8%
-2.2pp
Not Stated
2021 count
628
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
628
6.9%
-0.7pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+265
+2.9pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+26
+0.3pp
Vocational
-20
-0.2pp
No Qualification
-202
-2.2pp
Not Stated
-64
-0.7pp
Data table
Qualifications for Northmead. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Parramatta (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Parramatta (C)% | Count | % | Parramatta (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 3,214 | 35.3% | 44.2% | 2,949 | 32.4% | 37.2% | +265 | +2.9pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 953 | 10.5% | 9.6% | 927 | 10.2% | 9.3% | +26 | +0.3pp |
| Vocational | 1,500 | 16.5% | 10.7% | 1,520 | 16.7% | 11.5% | -20 | -0.2pp |
| No Qualification | 2,803 | 30.8% | 27.4% | 3,005 | 33.0% | 32.2% | -202 | -2.2pp |
| Not Stated | 628 | 6.9% | 8.1% | 692 | 7.6% | 9.9% | -64 | -0.7pp |
| Total | 9,098 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,093 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5 | 0.0pp |