This variable indicates whether a person is engaged or not engaged in work and/or study. Data can be used to better understand groups of interest, such as youth, or people approaching retirement age, by analysing by age cohorts.

Persons aged 15 years and over

Data is derived from the following variables:

• Labour force status and hours worked not stated (LFHRP)
• Full-time/part-time student status (STUP)
• Age (AGEP)

The variables are cross tabulated to identify the type of engagement in work and/or study. Further information is shown in the matrix in the Data downloads section below. 

This variable was first reported in 2016.

In 2021, the categories have been expanded to provide a more detailed breakdown for 'fully engaged' and 'partially engaged'. This is required for several national reporting measures and allows for more complex analysis.

For the 2006 and 2011 Censuses, data for this variable can be derived based on existing data items.

People are included in the variable categories according to the criteria below:

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Age (AGEP)
• Labour force status (LFSP)
• Labour force status and hours worked not stated (LFHRP)
• Hours worked (HRSP)
• Full-time/part-time student status (STUP)

• Closing the Gap and Other National Government Reporting
• Employment and unemployment
• Education
• Education and training: Census

This variable records a single measure of a person’s overall highest level of educational attainment, whether it be a school or non-school qualification. It helps to build a picture of educational attainment and qualifications across Australia and can be used to:

• compare with data collected in previous Censuses to help understand the changes of educational achievement in Australia over time
• determine the general level of educational achievement of the Australian population and of specific groups in Australian society
• investigate the relationship between levels of education and employment outcomes, income and other socioeconomic variables.

Persons aged 15 years and over

Level of highest educational attainment (HEAP) is derived using a combination of two variables:

• Highest year of school completed (HSCP)
• Non-school qualification: level of education (QALLP)

These variables are sourced from the Census questions.

The derivation process determines which of the 'non-school' and 'school' attainments will be regarded as the highest. Usually the higher-ranking attainment is self-evident, but in some cases Secondary education is regarded as higher than some Certificate level attainments. The following decision table describes how Certificate levels and Highest year of school completed are coded.

Table 1. Derivation of level of Highest educational attainment decision table

While questions regarding educational qualifications in general have been asked for every Census since 1911, Level of highest educational attainment, which combines measures of school and non-school education, was first reported in 2006.

In 2011, people in the following categories were assigned a Level of highest educational attainment the same as their highest year of school completed:

• Highest Year of School Completed of Year 8 or below to Year 12
• Certificate not further defined

In 2016, people with ‘Highest Year of School Completed of Year 8 or below to Year 12’ and a ‘Certificate not further defined’ were assigned a Level of highest educational attainment as 'Inadequately described'.

For 2021, Undergraduate certificates are a new qualification and will be coded to category '420 Diploma level, nfd'. In previous Censuses, nothing has been coded to this category. See also Non-school qualification: level of education (QALLP).

This variable can be used to provide data on Target 6 for the National Agreement for Closing the Gap.

• By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25-34 years who have completed a tertiary qualification (Certificate III and above) to 70 per cent.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form.

• Highest year of school completed (HSCP)
• Non-school qualification: field of study (QALFP)
• Non-school qualification: level of education (QALLP)
• Or equivalent level of education

• Education
• Education and training: Census

This variable records the highest level of primary or secondary schooling completed. The data is used to help build a picture of the education levels attained in each area of Australia and to assist in the planning of educational facilities.

Persons aged 15 years and over

This variable is sourced directly from the highest year of primary or secondary school question on the Census form. The responses are captured automatically from mark box responses. Respondents are asked to only mark one response. Where respondents provided more than one response, the responses are accepted in the order they appear on the form and extra responses are rejected.

The question relating to Highest year of school completed where respondents reported their highest level of educational attainment was first asked in the 1911 Census. In 2016 some minor adjustment to the wording of the question instructions was made for the purposes of clarity.

No changes have been made for 2021.

The 'Still at school' category has been excluded from the classification since 2006. It allowed the level of highest educational attainment to be determined for people still at school. From 2006 onwards, those still studying at school and the year level they are currently in can be identified by cross-classifying Highest year of school completed (HSCP) and Type of educational institution attending (TYPP). Full-time/part-time student status (STUP) may also be used.

The non-response rate for Highest year of school completed (HSCP) was 6.6% in 2021. This is a decrease from 8.6% in 2016. 

• Type of educational institution attending (TYPP)
• Full-time/part-time student status (STUP)
• Level of highest educational attainment (HEAP)
• Attainment of Year 12 or Certificate II or higher (YR12C2P)
• Attainment of Year 12 or Certificate III or higher (YR12C3P)

• Education
• Education and training: Census

This variable describes the field of study of a person’s highest completed non-school qualification. Qualifications data is used to:

• help build a picture of the different non-school qualifications undertaken in Australia and how this has changed over time
• assess the skill level of the labour force, and potential labour force
• understand the characteristics of Australia’s workforce when compared with occupation and industry of employment.

Persons aged 15 years and over who stated a completed qualification

Non-school qualification: field of study (QALFP) is coded using the Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED), 2001. The categories are listed in groups below. The full list is available from the Data downloads on this page.

Number of categories:

• Two digit: 16
• Four digit: 87
• Six digit: 435

Not applicable (@@@@@@) comprises:

• Persons who have a qualification that is out of scope of this classification
• Persons with no qualifications
• Persons still studying for a first qualification
• Persons aged under 15 years

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information.

Non-school qualification: field of study (QALFP) is mainly coded based on written responses for qualification level and qualification field questions. The following questions may also be used:

• Highest year of primary or secondary school completed
• Qualification indicator (question asking whether person has completed any educational qualification)
• Whether the qualification was completed before 1998

The question on main field of study was first asked in the 1971 Census and has been asked in every Census since then.

In 2001, the Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED) replaced the ABS Classification of Qualifications (ABSCQ).

In the 2006 Census, the year completed question was reworded to ask if the qualification was obtained before 1998 or from 1998 onward, with 1998 being the year the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) was introduced. The distinction between certificates awarded pre-1998 and from 1998 onward is also used to assist in coding some certificates to finer levels of the ASCED classification.

In 2021, minor instructional text changes to the main field of study question have been made to provide guidance for people with double degrees. The field examples were updated based on prevalence in the 2016 Census and selected to include fields found at the VET and University levels.

When using this variable, the directly applicable population (i.e. those who answered 'Yes' to the Qualifications indicator question) is not identifiable in the output data set. This is because those who answered 'Yes, other qualification' to the Qualifications indicator question, and then subsequently did not provide a response to the question on main field of highest qualification, are coded to 'not stated' in this variable. Therefore, this variable cannot be used as a count of people who hold a qualification.

The non-response rate for Non-school qualification: field of study (QALFP) was 12.3% in 2021. This is a decrease from 15.1% in 2016.

A large component of non-response for this variable is due to people not answering the Qualification Indicator question and the Non-school qualification: field of study questions. People may have: 

• not seen the question relevant to themselves, and did not respond 
• been imputed into occupied dwellings where no form had been returned.

It may not be appropriate to consider these groups of non-respondents when calculating non-response for the directly applicable population.

When Non-school qualification: field of study (QALFP) is analysed in conjunction with a 'Yes' response to the Qualifications Indicator question, the non-response rate was 2.3% in 2021. This is an increase from 2.0% in 2016.

• Full-time/part-time student status (STUP)
• Non-school qualification: level of education (QALLP)
• Highest year of school completed (HSCP)

• Education
• Education and training: Census

This variable describes the level of a person’s highest completed non-school qualification. Non-school qualifications are educational attainments other than those of a pre-primary, primary or secondary education level. This information about education will help to:

• build a picture of educational levels in each area of Australia
• show how different groups of people take part in education
• help to plan education services in different areas.

Persons aged 15 years and over who stated a completed qualification

Non-school qualification: level of education (QALLP) is coded using the Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED), 2001, Level of Education Classification.

This variable is mainly coded based on written responses for qualification level and qualification field questions. The following questions may also be used:

• Highest year of primary or secondary school completed
• Qualification indicator (question asking whether a person has completed any educational qualification)
• Whether the qualification was completed before 1998 

A question relating to level of education was first asked in the 1911 Census and has been asked in every Census since then. In many Censuses, school and non-school qualification were not necessarily separate questions.

In 2001, the Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED) replaced the ABS Classification of Qualifications (ABSCQ).

In the 2006 Census, the year completed question was reworded to ask if the qualification was obtained before 1998 or from 1998 onward, with 1998 being the year the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) was introduced. The distinction between certificates awarded pre-1998 and from 1998 onward is also used to assist in coding some certificates to finer levels of the ASCED classification.

In 2021, a new qualification called Undergraduate certificates will be coded to ‘420 Diploma Level, nfd’.

When using this variable, the directly applicable population (i.e. those who answered 'Yes' to the Qualifications indicator question) is not identifiable in the output data set. This is because those who answered 'Yes, other qualification' to the Qualifications indicator question, and then subsequently did not provide a response to the question on level of highest qualification, are coded to 'not stated' in this variable. Therefore, this variable cannot be used as a count of people who hold a qualification.

The non-response rate for Non-school qualification: level of education (QALLP) was 12.4% in 2021. This is a decrease from 16.0% in 2016.

A large component of non-response for this variable is due to people not answering the Qualification Indicator question and the Non-school qualification: level of education questions. People may have: 

• not seen the question relevant to themselves, and did not respond 
• been imputed into occupied dwellings where no form had been returned.

It may not be appropriate to consider these groups of non-respondents when calculating non-response for the directly applicable population.

When Non-school qualification: level of education (QALLP) is analysed in conjunction with a 'Yes' response to the Qualifications Indicator question, the non-response rate was 2.3% in 2021. This is a decrease from 2.8% in 2016.

• Non-school qualification: field of study (QALFP)
• Level of highest educational attainment (HEAP)
• Highest year of school completed (HSCP)
• Attainment of year 12 or certificate II or higher (YR12C2P)
• Attainment of year 12 or certificate III or higher (YR12C3P)
• Attainment of certificate III or higher or working towards a non-school qualification (C3SP)
• With or working towards a non-school qualification (WTNSQP)
• Or equivalent level of education

• Closing the Gap and Other National Government Reporting
• Education
• Education and training: Census

This variable describes the full-time or part-time status of students.

All persons

This variable is collected from a mark box response to the Full-time/part-time student status question on the Census form. Respondents are asked to mark only one response. In cases where respondents mark more than one response, they are accepted in the order they appear on the form and the extra responses are rejected.

A question on current type of attendance at school or other educational institution has been asked since 1976. The categories for Full-time/part-time student status (STUP) were revised for 2011.

For 2021, minor changes were made to the question wording and instructional text to improve clarity. In addition, to emphasise that respondents should include attendance at preschool, the question wording in the online form has changed for people in the household aged six and under. The question asks ‘Is the person attending a preschool, school or other education institution?’.

For 2021, a question instruction was added to the online form to provide guidance to people in COVID-19 affected areas on Census day.

There are no data use considerations for this variable.

The non-response rate for Full-time/part-time student status (STUP) was 5.6% in 2021. This is a decrease from 6.8% in 2016.

The non-response rates for this variable include 0.1% of respondents (0.2% in 2016) who did not indicate whether they were students at the Full-time/part-time student status question (question 29 on the Census Household form) but went on to state the type of educational institution attended at the next question, Type of of educational institution attending (TYPP). 

• Type of educational institution attending (TYPP)
• Educational institution: attendee status (TYSTAP)
• Engagement in employment, education and training (EETP)

• Education
• Education and training: Census

This variable records the type of education institution being attended by people who are full-time or part-time students. The category covers preschool through to tertiary institutions. Information on whether a person is attending an education institution is essential for education and labour market planning. It is also used to identify dependent children in family coding.

Persons attending an education institution

On the online form the type of education institution attending question is split into two parts. When a respondent selects either 'Primary', 'Secondary' or 'Tertiary institution' they are presented with a second question to described the education institution in more detail. 

This variable is collected from mark box responses to the Type of education institution question on the Census form. Respondents are asked to mark only one response. In cases where respondents mark more than one response, they are accepted in the order they appear on the form and the extra responses are rejected.

Questions relating to current education institution were first asked in the 1911 Census and have been asked at most censuses since then, though the amount of detail asked has varied.

In 2021, output categories have been changed to reflect the question wording changes:

• 'Infants' has been removed from the Primary categories
• 'Technical or Further Educational Institution (including TAFE Colleges)' has been changed to 'Tertiary - Vocational education (including TAFE and private training providers)'
• 'University or other Tertiary Institution' has been changed to 'Tertiary - University or other higher education'

Primary, secondary and tertiary not further defined fields have been added (categories 29, 39, 49) as this question is in two parts on the online form. The not further defined fields will get populated when a person only answers if they are attending an institution but does not specify the type, e.g. Catholic.

To further emphasise attendance at preschool, the question relating to attendance at a school or an education institution has changed on the online form. For people in the household aged six and under, the question asks, ‘Is the person attending a preschool, school or other education institution?’.

For 2021, a question instruction was added to the online form to provide guidance to people in COVID-19 affected areas on Census day. Additional instructions were also added to the Census website – see Data use considerations for more details.

Lockdown

A number of regions across the country were in various stages of COVID-19 lockdowns on Census day, and the week preceding it, resulting in a greater number of students being educated from home. Guidance on how to correctly respond was provided at the time on the Census website, as follows: 

'If you or your child are currently learning from home due to COVID restrictions, please answer the questions reflecting the school or other educational institution you or your child would normally attend.'

Preschool

Users of the data on preschool attendance should be aware that some children who are in childcare may be included in the preschool figures. This has been identified as a problem with interpretation of categories by respondents. See the History and changes section for new instructions for 2021 to help resolve this misunderstanding.

The non-response rate for Type of educational institution attending (TYPP) was 0.8% in 2021. This is a decrease from 2.7% in 2016. This rate is lower than most Census variables as it is only applicable to persons who answered they are a student to the previous question (Full-Time/Part-Time Student Status).

• Full-time/part-time student status (STUP)
• Educational institution: attendee status (TYSTAP)
• Attainment of Certificate III or higher or working towards a non-school qualification (C3SP)
• People with or working towards a non-school qualification (WTNSQP)
• Derivation
• Imputation

• Education
• Education and training: Census

This variable combines responses from Type of educational institution attending (TYPP), Full-time/part-time student status (STUP) and Age (AGEP) to indicate a person's attendee status at an education institution. We use this information to understand the education levels of the future workforce of Australia and whether people are taking part in employment, education, or training.

Persons attending an education institution

This variable is derived using responses captured from the questions for Type of education institution attending, Full-time/part-time student status and the Age indicated on the Census form.

Education institution: attendee status (TYSTAP) was first created for the 2011 Census. 

In 2021 the following changes occurred:

• Code numbers have been updated to align better with the TYPP variable.
• Category names have been updated to reflect changes to the question wording (See TYPP).

Also for 2021, primary, secondary and tertiary not further defined fields have been added (categories 29, 39, 61-65) as this question is in two parts on the online form. The not further defined fields will get populated when a person only answers if they are attending an institution but does not specify the type, e.g. Secondary - Catholic.

There are no data use considerations for this variable.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Age (AGEP)
• Full-time/part-time student status (STUP)
• Type of educational institution attending (TYPP)

• Education
• Education and training: Census