Burleigh Waters · Statistical Area 2 (SA2)

Education & Qualifications in Burleigh Waters

How far people went at school, the qualifications they hold and what they studied.

A 13 point jump in Year 12 completion since 2011 marks a significant shift in the education profile of Burleigh Waters. Most residents now hold a qualification, with the area seeing a steady climb in both high school and university achievement over the last decade.

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📍 Burleigh Waters, Statistical Area 2 (SA2)

Where Burleigh Waters sits — Adults with a bachelor degree or higher

22.7% ▲ +68.3%
  • 0.0%–2.1%: 9 areas
  • 2.1%–4.3%: 6 areas
  • 4.3%–6.4%: 23 areas
  • 6.4%–8.6%: 84 areas
  • 8.6%–10.7%: 205 areas
  • 10.7%–12.9%: 225 areas
  • 12.9%–15.0%: 194 areas
  • 15.0%–17.1%: 163 areas
  • 17.1%–19.3%: 167 areas
  • 19.3%–21.4%: 134 areas
  • 21.4%–23.6%: 130 areas
  • 23.6%–25.7%: 112 areas
  • 25.7%–27.9%: 108 areas
  • 27.9%–30.0%: 90 areas
  • 30.0%–32.1%: 71 areas
  • 32.1%–34.3%: 72 areas
  • 34.3%–36.4%: 72 areas
  • 36.4%–38.6%: 69 areas
  • 38.6%–40.7%: 59 areas
  • 40.7%–42.9%: 46 areas
  • 42.9%–45.0%: 57 areas
  • 45.0%–47.1%: 57 areas
  • 47.1%–49.3%: 50 areas
  • 49.3%–51.4%: 42 areas
  • 51.4%–53.6%: 40 areas
  • 53.6%–55.7%: 40 areas
  • 55.7%–57.9%: 30 areas
  • 57.9%–60.0%: 28 areas

All statistical area 2 (sa2) areas, 2021. The marker is Burleigh Waters — higher than 54% of areas.

Adults with a bachelor degree or higher compared with the state and national average
Burleigh Waters22.7%
4220, QLD 25.1%
Queensland 21.9%
Australia 26.3%

Schooling

Highest year of school completed.

About 59.3% of residents have finished Year 12, which is a little above the Queensland figure. This is a notable increase from 2011, when only 46.4% of people had completed their final year of school.

59.3% ▲ +27.6%

Higher than 56% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.

  • 2011: 46.4%
  • 2016: 52.6%
  • 2021: 59.3%

Share of people whose highest year of school is Year 12 or equivalent.

Highest year of school

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In Burleigh Waters, Year 12 is the majority at 63%; Year 10 is next at 23%.

Qualifications

Post-school qualifications and degrees.

The proportion of adults with a bachelor degree or higher has risen to 22.7%, which is about the same as the state average. While this is well below the national figure of 26.3%, it represents a growth of 9.2 points since 2011.

22.7% ▲ +68.3%

Higher than 54% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.

  • 2011: 13.5%
  • 2016: 17.9%
  • 2021: 22.7%

Share of people aged 15+ whose highest qualification is a bachelor degree or above (incl. graduate and postgraduate).

Highest qualification level

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In Burleigh Waters, the largest group is Certificate III / IV at 35%, followed by Bachelor degree (30%) and Advanced diploma / diploma (21%).

Field of study

What people studied.

The most common qualifications held by residents are in management and commerce, accounting for 21% of degrees. Other common fields include engineering and related roles at 11.9% and health at 11.1%.

Schools

Schools in the area and how many children they serve (ACARA).

Burleigh Waters has three schools that are among the largest in their class, with a total of 3,350 enrolments. These schools have a higher advantage score than most areas, though there are fewer schools per child than in many other places.

13

Lower than 66% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.

Schools serving the area — within 3 km of small areas, or inside larger ones. A measure of access (catchments overlap, so don't add it across areas).

1,067

Higher than 72% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.

Enrolment-weighted average ICSEA — an index of socio-educational advantage, centred near 1000 (context, not a quality ranking).

Schools in and around Burleigh Waters — hover a marker for details. Open the full map →

Schools serving Burleigh Waters

13 schools — 19,916 students, average ICSEA 1,070.

By sector: Government 7 · Independent 4 · Catholic 2

By type: Primary 6 · Combined 5 · Secondary 2

Schools serving Burleigh Waters, sortable by name, sector, type, distance and student count
Caningeraba State School, Burleigh Waters Government Primary 0.2 km 1,068 1,042
Burleigh Heads State School, Burleigh Heads Government Primary 1.7 km 458 1,048
Marymount College, Burleigh Waters Catholic Secondary 1.8 km 1,262 1,073
Marymount Primary School, Burleigh Waters Catholic Primary 1.8 km 1,020 1,085
Varsity College, Varsity Lakes Government Combined 2.2 km 3,304 1,065
Miami State High School, Miami Government Secondary 2.5 km 1,542 1,032
Miami State School, Mermaid Waters Government Primary 2.8 km 835 1,053
Robina State School, Robina Government Primary 3.6 km 698 1,055
Gold Coast Christian College, Reedy Creek Independent Combined 3.7 km 237 1,066
King's Christian College, Reedy Creek Independent Combined 3.8 km 5,166 1,074
St Andrews Lutheran College, Tallebudgera Independent Combined 4.1 km 1,377 1,104
Palm Beach State School, Palm Beach Government Primary 4.2 km 894 1,059
Hillcrest Christian College, Reedy Creek Independent Combined 4.2 km 2,055 1,104

Sources

  • Census of Population and Housing — Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 (CC BY 4.0).
  • Australian Schools List — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025 (CC BY 4.0).

More for Burleigh Waters

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Education & Qualifications in Burleigh Waters [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/309011226/burleigh-waters/topic/education