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 Atherton, accounting for 41.6% (2,671 people). This share was higher than Tablelands (R) (40%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 161 people and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Atherton - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Atherton in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Tablelands (R) and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Atherton, with comparison markers for Tablelands (R).
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
860
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
860
13.4%
+1.7pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
518
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
518
8.1%
-0.1pp
Vocational
2021 count
1,499
% of total
23.3%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
1,499
23.3%
+0.9pp
No Qualification
2021 count
2,671
% of total
41.6%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
2,671
41.6%
-3.9pp
Not Stated
2021 count
872
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
872
13.6%
+1.4pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+161
+1.7pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+24
-0.1pp
Vocational
+158
+0.9pp
No Qualification
-59
-3.9pp
Not Stated
+140
+1.4pp
Data table
Qualifications for Atherton. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Tablelands (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Tablelands (R)% | Count | % | Tablelands (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Bachelor Or Higher Degree | 860 | 13.4% | 13.8% | 699 | 11.7% | 11.7% | +161 | +1.7pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 518 | 8.1% | 8.2% | 494 | 8.2% | 7.7% | +24 | -0.1pp |
| Vocational | 1,499 | 23.3% | 24.1% | 1,341 | 22.4% | 23.0% | +158 | +0.9pp |
| No Qualification | 2,671 | 41.6% | 40.0% | 2,730 | 45.5% | 43.8% | -59 | -3.9pp |
| Not Stated | 872 | 13.6% | 13.9% | 732 | 12.2% | 13.8% | +140 | +1.4pp |
| Total | 6,420 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,996 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +424 | 0.0pp |