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 Sydney (C), accounting for 52.6% (102,853 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (33.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 17,251 people and 8.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Sydney (C) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Sydney (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sydney (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
102,853
% of total
52.6%
Change from 2016
+8.6pp
102,853
52.6%
+8.6pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
18,735
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
18,735
9.6%
+1.2pp
Vocational
2021 count
15,235
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
15,235
7.8%
+0.5pp
No Qualification
2021 count
40,091
% of total
20.5%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
40,091
20.5%
-4.6pp
Not Stated
2021 count
18,690
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
18,690
9.6%
-5.6pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+17,251
+8.6pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+2,335
+1.2pp
Vocational
+1,121
+0.5pp
No Qualification
-8,684
-4.6pp
Not Stated
-10,755
-5.6pp
Data table
Qualifications for Sydney (C). Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 102,853 | 52.6% | 33.3% | 85,602 | 44.0% | 28.3% | +17,251 | +8.6pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 18,735 | 9.6% | 9.7% | 16,400 | 8.4% | 9.3% | +2,335 | +1.2pp |
| Vocational | 15,235 | 7.8% | 14.8% | 14,114 | 7.3% | 15.1% | +1,121 | +0.5pp |
| No Qualification | 40,091 | 20.5% | 34.2% | 48,775 | 25.1% | 37.7% | -8,684 | -4.6pp |
| Not Stated | 18,690 | 9.6% | 8.0% | 29,445 | 15.2% | 9.6% | -10,755 | -5.6pp |
| Total | 195,604 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 194,336 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,268 | 0.0pp |