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.

Key insight

In 2021, no qualification was the most common qualification level among residents aged 15 and over in Thursday Island, accounting for 37.7% (770 people). This share was lower than Torres (S) (38.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in vocational, which increased by 71 people and 4.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Highest qualification achieved

Thursday Island - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)

This table summarises qualifications for Thursday Island in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Torres (S) and change since 2016.

Highest qualification achieved snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Thursday Island, with comparison markers for Torres (S).

Thursday Island
Torres (S)

Bachelor Or Higher Degree

2021 count

330

% of total

16.1%

Change from 2016

+2.2pp

Advanced Diploma Or Diploma

2021 count

155

% of total

7.6%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Vocational

2021 count

493

% of total

24.1%

Change from 2016

+4.2pp

No Qualification

2021 count

770

% of total

37.7%

Change from 2016

+3.2pp

Not Stated

2021 count

296

% of total

14.5%

Change from 2016

-10.3pp

Data table

Qualifications for Thursday Island. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Torres (S).

Qualifications for Thursday Island. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Torres (S).
Qualifications for Thursday Island. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Torres (S).
Category20212016Change
Count%Torres (S)%Count%Torres (S)%Countpp
Bachelor Or Higher Degree33016.1%15.0%29413.9%12.4%+36+2.2pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma1557.6%8.2%1476.9%6.8%+8+0.7pp
Vocational49324.1%24.1%42219.9%20.2%+71+4.2pp
No Qualification77037.7%38.6%73334.5%34.9%+37+3.2pp
Not Stated29614.5%14.1%52624.8%25.6%-230-10.3pp
Total2,044100.0%100.0%2,122100.0%100.0%-780.0pp