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, bachelor degree or higher was the most common qualification level among residents aged 15 and over in Unincorporated ACT, accounting for 43% (159,430 people). This share was similar to Australian Capital Territory (43%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in bachelor degree or higher, which increased by 39,640 people and 5.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Highest qualification achieved

Unincorporated ACT - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)

This table summarises qualifications for Unincorporated ACT in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Australian Capital Territory and change since 2016.

Highest qualification achieved snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Unincorporated ACT, with comparison markers for Australian Capital Territory.

Unincorporated ACT
Australian Capital Territory

Bachelor Or Higher Degree

2021 count

159,430

% of total

43.0%

Change from 2016

+5.8pp

Advanced Diploma Or Diploma

2021 count

34,370

% of total

9.3%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Vocational

2021 count

48,890

% of total

13.2%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

No Qualification

2021 count

106,099

% of total

28.6%

Change from 2016

-3.4pp

Not Stated

2021 count

22,207

% of total

6.0%

Change from 2016

-2.1pp

Data table

Qualifications for Unincorporated ACT. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Australian Capital Territory.

Qualifications for Unincorporated ACT. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Australian Capital Territory.
Qualifications for Unincorporated ACT. Highest qualification achieved. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Australian Capital Territory.
Category20212016Change
Count%Australian Capital Territory%Count%Australian Capital Territory%Countpp
Bachelor Or Higher Degree159,43043.0%43.0%119,79037.2%37.2%+39,640+5.8pp
Advanced Diploma Or Diploma34,3709.3%9.3%29,7249.2%9.2%+4,646+0.1pp
Vocational48,89013.2%13.2%43,55713.5%13.5%+5,333-0.3pp
No Qualification106,09928.6%28.6%103,11832.0%32.0%+2,981-3.4pp
Not Stated22,2076.0%6.0%26,2268.1%8.1%-4,019-2.1pp
Total370,996100.0%100.0%322,415100.0%100.0%+48,5810.0pp