People with or working towards a non-school qualification (WTNSQP)

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 a non-school qualification, is working towards a non-school qualification or both. 

Scope

All persons aged 15 years and over

Categories

CodeCategory
1With a non-school qualification only
2Working towards a non-school qualification only
3With and working towards a non-school qualification
4Not with or working towards a non-school qualification
&Status not determined/Not stated*
@Not applicable*
VOverseas visitor*

Number of categories: 7

Not applicable (@) comprises:

  • Persons under 15 years of age
  • Persons whose Type of educational institution attending was Primary school

* 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'

People with 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'

People with 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'

People with 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 instructions 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 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 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 education institution attending (TYPP)

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

History and changes

This is a new variable for 2021.

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. 

Report on Government Services (RoGS)

This variable can be used to provide data for indicators in the Report on Government Services (RoGS) Chapter B Child care, education and training sector overview:

  • BA.7 Proportion of 20-64 year olds with or working towards a non-school qualification
  • BA.8 Proportion of 20-64 year olds with or working towards a non-school qualification, by Indigenous status

Employment flag (EMFP), Indigenous status (INGP) and Age (AGEP) variables should be used to report on this measure. ‘Not applicable’ and ‘Overseas visitors’ categories should not be used when reporting on this measure.

Related variables and glossary terms

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

Useful links

Downloads

National reporting indicators 2021

Data files
Download xlsx [337.6 KB]