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 Townsville (C), accounting for 39.8% (61,974 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (39.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 4,793 people and 2.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Highest qualification achieved
Townsville (C) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises qualifications for Townsville (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Highest qualification achieved snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Townsville (C), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
2021 count
28,212
% of total
18.1%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
28,212
18.1%
+2.4pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
2021 count
12,824
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
12,824
8.2%
+0.4pp
Vocational
2021 count
37,314
% of total
24.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
37,314
24.0%
+0.7pp
No Qualification
2021 count
61,974
% of total
39.8%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
61,974
39.8%
-2.2pp
Not Stated
2021 count
15,474
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
15,474
9.9%
-1.2pp
Chart view
Highest qualification achieved change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Bachelor Or Higher Degree
+4,793
+2.4pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma
+1,147
+0.4pp
Vocational
+2,547
+0.7pp
No Qualification
-619
-2.2pp
Not Stated
-1,116
-1.2pp
Data table
Qualifications for Townsville (C). 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 | 28,212 | 18.1% | 17.1% | 23,419 | 15.7% | 14.0% | +4,793 | +2.4pp |
| Advanced Diploma Or Diploma | 12,824 | 8.2% | 9.1% | 11,677 | 7.8% | 8.3% | +1,147 | +0.4pp |
| Vocational | 37,314 | 24.0% | 24.1% | 34,767 | 23.3% | 23.1% | +2,547 | +0.7pp |
| No Qualification | 61,974 | 39.8% | 39.2% | 62,593 | 42.0% | 42.4% | -619 | -2.2pp |
| Not Stated | 15,474 | 9.9% | 10.5% | 16,590 | 11.1% | 12.1% | -1,116 | -1.2pp |
| Total | 155,798 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 149,046 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,752 | 0.0pp |