This variable was previously used for national reporting purposes.
This variable shows whether a person has completed ‘Year 12 or equivalent or a Certificate II or higher’.
Scope
All persons aged 15 years and over
Categories
Code
Category
1
Attained Year 12 or equivalent or Certificate II or higher
2
Has not attained Year 12 or equivalent or Certificate II or higher
@
Not applicable – Exclude from table
V
Overseas visitor – Exclude from table
Number of categories: 4
Not applicable (@) comprises:
persons without 'Year 12 or equivalent' whose non-school qualification level of education was not stated or inadequately described
persons who did not state their highest year of school completed and who had not completed a non-school qualification level of education at Certificate II or higher
persons who had did not state their highest year of school completed and whose non-school qualification level of education was not stated or inadequately described
What is the highest year of primary or secondary school the person has completed?
Image
Description
This image shows a question from the 2026 Census online form. This question asks: What is the highest year of primary or secondary school Person 1 has completed?
Underneath the question text, the instructional text states: For people currently at school, select the highest year of schooling they have completed, not the year they are currently undertaking.
Underneath the instructional text, is a clickable More Information header. Once clicked, the More Information is shown, and states: Select ‘Year 12 or equivalent’ if the person has completed: Year 13; 6th form; Matriculation; Highest year of school available. If the highest year of schooling the person has completed was in primary school, select ‘Year 8 or below’. For persons who left school and then returned after a break, select the highest year of schooling they have completed irrespective of when it was completed. Include school level education undertaken at other institutions (e.g. at a TAFE).
The response options are: Year 12 or equivalent; Year 11 or equivalent; Year 10 or equivalent; Year 9 or equivalent; Year 8 or below; Did not go to school.
Has the person completed any educational qualification?
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:
