Adults with a bachelor degree or higher

At the 2021 Census, Adults with a bachelor degree or higher across Australia was 26.3%. The share of people aged 15 and over whose highest qualification is a bachelor degree or higher.

Share of people aged 15+ whose highest qualification is a bachelor degree or above (incl. graduate and postgraduate). It is calculated as a percentage of the relevant population or dwellings, so it can be compared fairly between large and small areas.

Degree attainment tracks closely with knowledge-economy jobs and is one of the clearest dividing lines between inner-city and outer or regional areas.

Across the 2,383 SA2 areas with data, Adults with a bachelor degree or higher ranges from 0.0% to 69.2%, with a typical (median) area at 21.0%. Most areas cluster toward the lower end, with a smaller number of much higher areas stretching the range.

Yes — Adults with a bachelor degree or higher is measured consistently enough to compare across the 2011, 2016 and 2021 Censuses, so the trend over time is meaningful. Nationally it has risen from 18.8% in 2011 to 26.3% in 2021.

Use the interactive map to compare Adults with a bachelor degree or higher down to block (sa1) and statistical area 2 (sa2) level, or search any suburb, postcode or council area to see its value in context against state and national figures.