This variable is used for national reporting purposes.
This variable shows whether a person has attained a Certificate III or higher or is currently studying a non-school qualification.
Scope
All persons aged 15 years and over
Categories
Code
Category
1
Attained Certificate III or higher or studying for a non-school qualification
2
Has not attained Certificate III or higher and is not studying for a non-school qualification
@
Not applicable - Exclude from table
V
Overseas visitor - Exclude from table
Number of categories: 4
Not applicable (@) comprises:
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
What type of education institution is the person attending?
Image
Description
This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What type of education institution is Person 1 attending?
Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: Include secondary colleges and senior high schools under the 'Secondary school' category. For external, online or correspondence students, mark the type of institution in which they are enrolled.
Underneath the instructional text, is a clickable More Information header. Once clicked, the More Information is shown, and states: 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.
The response options are: Preschool; Primary school; Secondary school; Tertiary institution (e.g. University and vocational education and training, including TAFE and private training providers); Other education institution.
Has the person completed any educational qualification?
Image
Description
This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: Has Person 1 completed any educational qualification?
Underneath the instructional text, is a clickable More Information header. Once clicked, the More Information is shown, and states: 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.
The response options are: No; No, still studying for first qualification; Yes, trade certificate/apprenticeship; Yes, other qualification (certificate, diploma or degree).
What is the level of the highest qualification the person has completed?
Image
Description
This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is the level of the highest qualification Person 1 has completed?
Underneath the text, the instructional text states: For example: Trade Certificate, Bachelor Degree, Associate Diploma, Certificate II, Advanced Diploma.
Underneath the instructional text, is a clickable More Information header. Once clicked, the More Information is shown, and states: 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.
The response option is: Level of qualification, followed by a free text field.
How this variable is created
This variable is created by combining information from:
