Gold Coast Hinterland · Sub-region (SA3)

Education & Qualifications in Gold Coast Hinterland

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

A growing number of qualified adults live in the Gold Coast Hinterland, where 21.7% now hold a bachelor degree or higher. This reflects a steady rise in education levels across the region. While most residents follow state and national patterns, the area has seen a significant jump in the number of people completing high school over the last decade.

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📍 Gold Coast Hinterland, Sub-region (SA3)

Where Gold Coast Hinterland sits — Adults with a bachelor degree or higher

21.7% ▲ +31.9%
  • 0.0%–2.1%: 0 areas
  • 2.1%–4.3%: 1 area
  • 4.3%–6.4%: 0 areas
  • 6.4%–8.6%: 6 areas
  • 8.6%–10.7%: 29 areas
  • 10.7%–12.9%: 49 areas
  • 12.9%–15.0%: 34 areas
  • 15.0%–17.1%: 26 areas
  • 17.1%–19.3%: 31 areas
  • 19.3%–21.4%: 23 areas
  • 21.4%–23.6%: 18 areas
  • 23.6%–25.7%: 13 areas
  • 25.7%–27.9%: 11 areas
  • 27.9%–30.0%: 10 areas
  • 30.0%–32.1%: 11 areas
  • 32.1%–34.3%: 16 areas
  • 34.3%–36.4%: 5 areas
  • 36.4%–38.6%: 7 areas
  • 38.6%–40.7%: 8 areas
  • 40.7%–42.9%: 7 areas
  • 42.9%–45.0%: 10 areas
  • 45.0%–47.1%: 8 areas
  • 47.1%–49.3%: 6 areas
  • 49.3%–51.4%: 4 areas
  • 51.4%–53.6%: 8 areas
  • 53.6%–55.7%: 6 areas
  • 55.7%–57.9%: 3 areas
  • 57.9%–60.0%: 0 areas

All sub-region (sa3) areas, 2021. The marker is Gold Coast Hinterland — higher than 58% of areas.

Adults with a bachelor degree or higher compared with the state and national average
Gold Coast Hinterland21.7%
Rest of Qld 17.1%
Queensland 21.9%
Australia 26.3%

Schooling

Highest year of school completed.

The share of people who finished Year 12 rose 8.5 points since 2011 to reach 57.0%. This is about the same as the Queensland figure and just a little below the national average.

57.0% ▲ +17.6%

Higher than 58% of sub-region (sa3) areas.

  • 2011: 48.4%
  • 2016: 50.5%
  • 2021: 57.0%

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

Highest year of school

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In Gold Coast Hinterland, Year 12 is the majority at 61%; Year 10 is next at 24%.

Qualifications

Post-school qualifications and degrees.

About 21.7% of adults have a bachelor degree or higher, which is well below the Australian figure of 26.3%. Certificate III or IV is the most common qualification, held by 31.7% of residents.

21.7% ▲ +31.9%

Higher than 58% of sub-region (sa3) areas.

  • 2011: 16.5%
  • 2016: 18.0%
  • 2021: 21.7%

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 Gold Coast Hinterland, the largest group is Certificate III / IV at 38%, followed by Bachelor degree (26%) and Advanced diploma / diploma (21%).

Field of study

What people studied.

The most common fields of study for those with qualifications are management and commerce at 15.7%, followed by engineering and related fields at 14.2%.

Schools

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

The area has 8 schools with a total of 2,712 enrolments, which is among the smallest numbers for this level of area. These schools are generally smaller than most, though they have a higher advantage score than typical areas.

1,046

Higher than 64% of sub-region (sa3) areas.

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

Schools in and around Gold Coast Hinterland — hover a marker for details. Open the full map →

Schools serving Gold Coast Hinterland

8 schools — 2,712 students, average ICSEA 1,046.

By sector: Government 7 · Independent 1

By type: Primary 6 · Secondary 1 · Combined 1

Schools serving Gold Coast Hinterland, sortable by name, sector, type, distance and student count
Tamborine Mountain State High School, Tamborine Mountain Government Secondary 943 1,039
Tamborine Mountain State School, Tamborine Mountain Government Primary 564 1,054
Tamborine Mountain College, North Tamborine Independent Combined 546 1,073
Canungra State School, Canungra Government Primary 384 1,012
Beechmont State School, Beechmont Government Primary 120 1,042
St Bernard State School, Tamborine Mountain Government Primary 117 1,039
Springbrook State School, Springbrook Government Primary 29 1,086
Numinbah Valley State School, Numinbah Valley Government Primary 9 972

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 Gold Coast Hinterland

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Education & Qualifications in Gold Coast Hinterland [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/30904/gold-coast-hinterland/topic/education