Attainment of Certificate III or higher or working towards a non-school qualification (C3SP)

Latest release
Census of Population and Housing: Census dictionary
Cite
Reference period
2021

Definition

This variable is used for national reporting purposes.

This variable indicates whether a person has attained a Certificate III or higher or is currently studying a non-school qualification. This allows for calculation of the proportion of the population that has attained the relevant qualifications or is studying for a non-school qualification. This variable can be used for the calculation of the proportion of the population that is employed, as used in the Closing the Gap Target 7 – youth are engaged in employment or education.

 

Scope

All persons aged 15 years and over

Categories

CodeCategory
1Attained Certificate III or higher or studying for a non-school qualification
2Has not attained Certificate III or higher and is not studying for a non-school qualification
@Not applicable*
VOverseas visitor*

Number of categories: 4

Not applicable (@) comprises:

  • Persons under 15 years of age
  • Persons whose Non-school qualification: level of education was Not stated or inadequately described and who were not currently attending an educational institution or whose Type of educational institution currently attending was Secondary level or below.
  • Persons who had not completed a Non-school qualification: level of education at Certificate III or higher and whose Type of educational institution currently attending was Not stated
  • Persons whose Non-school qualification: level of education was Not stated or inadequately described and whose Type of educational institution currently attending was Not stated

* Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes.

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information

Question(s) from the Census form

What type of education institution is the person attending?

On the online form the type of education institution attending question is split into two parts. When a respondent selects either 'Primary', 'Secondary' or 'Tertiary institution (e.g. University and vocational education and training, including TAFE and private training providers)' they are presented with a second question to describe the education institution in more detail. 

What type of education institution is the person attending?
What type of education institution is Person 1 attending? Include secondary colleges and senior high schools under ‘Secondary school’. For external, online or correspondence students, mark the type of institution in which they are enrolled. More information Preschool Primary school Secondary school Tertiary institution (e.g. University and vocational education and training, including TAFE and private training providers) Other education institution

More information

Additional information relating to the question on: What type of education institution is the person attending?
What type of education institution is Person 1 attending? Include secondary colleges and senior high schools under ‘Secondary school’. For external, online or correspondence students, mark the type of institution in which they are enrolled. More information Select 'Preschool' for a child who attends an early childhood education program. This may be conducted in conjunction with a centre based day care provider. Preschool is a structured, play based learning program, primarily aimed at children in the year or two before they commence full-time schooling. For students attending a combined primary and secondary school (e.g. K-12 school), report the level of schooling based on the year level they are currently attending. For a person currently studying at home because of lockdowns or other COVID-related reasons, select the type of education institution the person usually attends or is enrolled in.

Question when respondents select 'Primary school'

Attainment of Certificate III or higher or working towards a non-school qualification example - Primary school response selected
What type of primary school is Person 1 attending? More information Government Catholic Other non-government

More information - Primary

Additional information relating to the question on: What type of education institution is Person 1 attending? Primary school
What type of primary school is Person 1 attending? More information ‘Other non-government’ are independent education institutions, including Anglican schools and other schools which have associations with religious or secular bodies, or are entirely independent.

Question when respondents select 'Secondary school'

Attainment of Certificate III or higher or working towards a non-school qualification example - Secondary school response selected
What type of secondary school is Person 1 attending? More information Government Catholic Other non-government

More information - Secondary

Additional information relating to the question on: What type of education institution is Person 1 attending? Secondary school
What type of secondary school is Person 1 attending? More information ‘Other non-government’ are independent education institutions, including Anglican schools and other schools which have associations with religious or secular bodies, or are entirely independent.

Question when respondents select 'Tertiary institution'

Attainment of Certificate III or higher or working towards a non-school qualification example - Tertiary institution response selected
What type of tertiary education institution is Person 1 attending? Vocational education and training (including TAFE and private training providers) University or other higher education

Has the person completed any educational qualification?

Has the person completed any educational qualification?
Has Person 1 completed any educational qualification? More information No No, still studying for first qualification Yes, trade certificate/apprenticeship Yes, other qualification (certificate, diploma or degree)

More information

Additional information relating to the question on: Has the person completed any educational qualification
Has Person 1 completed any educational qualification? More information If the person completed any vocational qualifications as part of their secondary schooling, select 'Yes, other qualification'. If the person has completed any other qualifications, select the appropriate 'Yes' response. Non-school or higher education qualifications include Certificates I-IV; Trade Certificates; Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas; Bachelor Degrees; Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas; and higher degrees such as a Masters or Doctorate.

What is the level of the highest qualification the person has completed?

What is the level of the highest qualification the person has completed?
What is the level of the highest qualification Person 1 has completed? For example: Trade Certificate, Bachelor Degree, Associate Diploma, Certificate II, Advanced Diploma. More information Level of qualification

More information

Additional instructions relating to the question on: What is the level of the highest qualification Person 1 has completed?
What is the level of the highest qualification Person 1 has completed? For example: Trade Certificate, Bachelor Degree, Associate Diploma, Certificate II, Advanced Diploma. More information If the person has two or more qualifications, only state the highest qualification obtained. For example, if the person has a Graduate Diploma of Education and a Bachelor Degree in Economics, the Graduate Diploma should be reported as the higher qualification. Qualification levels listed from highest to lowest: • Doctorate • Master Degree • Graduate Diploma • Graduate Certificate • Bachelor Degree with Honours • Bachelor Degree • Associate Degree • Advanced Diploma • Diploma • Associate Diploma • Advanced Certificate • Certificate IV (or Post-trade) • Certificate III (or Trade) • Certificate II • Certificate I

How this variable is created

This variable is created by combining information from:

  • Non-school qualifications: level of education (QALLP)
  • Type of educational institution attending (TYPP)

A matrix is included in the downloads to show how the variable is created.

History and changes

This variable was first created in 2016. For 2021, overseas visitors have been separated out from the not applicable category into a separate category.

Data use considerations

This variable was created for National Reporting purposes. Any analyses using this variable that are for other purposes should be done with caution and with reference to the relevant inclusions and exclusions described above.

Categories marked with an '*' are to be excluded from data extracted for national reporting purposes. 

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

Related variables and glossary terms

  • Attainment of Year 12 or Certificate II or higher (YR12C2P)
  • Attainment of Year 12 or Certificate III or higher (YR12C3P)
  • Non-school qualifications: level of education (QALLP)
  • Type of educational institution attending (TYPP)

Useful links

Downloads

National reporting indicators 2021

Data files
Download xlsx [337.6 KB]