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 Sunshine Coast (R), accounting for 35.1% (99,343 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (39.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 20,074 people and 4.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Sunshine Coast (R) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Sunshine Coast (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunshine Coast (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
60,823
% of total
21.5%
Change from 2016
+4.6pp
60,823
21.5%
+4.6pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
30,911
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
30,911
10.9%
+0.8pp
Vocational
2021 count
68,454
% of total
24.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
68,454
24.2%
+0.3pp
No Qualification
2021 count
99,343
% of total
35.1%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
99,343
35.1%
-4.1pp
Not Stated
2021 count
23,518
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
23,518
8.3%
-1.6pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+20,074
+4.6pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+6,452
+0.8pp
Vocational
+10,912
+0.3pp
No Qualification
+4,895
-4.1pp
Not Stated
-273
-1.6pp
Data table
Qualifications for Sunshine Coast (R). Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 60,823 | 21.5% | 17.1% | 40,749 | 16.9% | 14.0% | +20,074 | +4.6pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 30,911 | 10.9% | 9.1% | 24,459 | 10.1% | 8.3% | +6,452 | +0.8pp |
| Vocational | 68,454 | 24.2% | 24.1% | 57,542 | 23.9% | 23.1% | +10,912 | +0.3pp |
| No Qualification | 99,343 | 35.1% | 39.2% | 94,448 | 39.2% | 42.4% | +4,895 | -4.1pp |
| Not Stated | 23,518 | 8.3% | 10.5% | 23,791 | 9.9% | 12.1% | -273 | -1.6pp |
| Total | 283,049 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 240,989 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +42,060 | 0.0pp |