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 Toowoomba (R), accounting for 40.6% (56,490 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (39.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 5,808 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Toowoomba (R) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Toowoomba (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Toowoomba (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
26,441
% of total
19.0%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
26,441
19.0%
+2.9pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
12,153
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
12,153
8.7%
+0.7pp
Vocational
2021 count
32,652
% of total
23.4%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
32,652
23.4%
+1.4pp
No Qualification
2021 count
56,490
% of total
40.6%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
56,490
40.6%
-2.5pp
Not Stated
2021 count
11,564
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
11,564
8.3%
-2.5pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+5,808
+2.9pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+1,932
+0.7pp
Vocational
+4,428
+1.4pp
No Qualification
+1,203
-2.5pp
Not Stated
-2,259
-2.5pp
Data table
Qualifications for Toowoomba (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 | 26,441 | 19.0% | 17.1% | 20,633 | 16.1% | 14.0% | +5,808 | +2.9pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 12,153 | 8.7% | 9.1% | 10,221 | 8.0% | 8.3% | +1,932 | +0.7pp |
| Vocational | 32,652 | 23.4% | 24.1% | 28,224 | 22.0% | 23.1% | +4,428 | +1.4pp |
| No Qualification | 56,490 | 40.6% | 39.2% | 55,287 | 43.1% | 42.4% | +1,203 | -2.5pp |
| Not Stated | 11,564 | 8.3% | 10.5% | 13,823 | 10.8% | 12.1% | -2,259 | -2.5pp |
| Total | 139,300 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 128,188 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +11,112 | 0.0pp |