Cultural diversity

Proficiency in English

About this topic

Proficiency in English records how well people say they speak English, with the question mainly relevant for people who use a language other than English at home. It is a self-assessed measure of spoken English rather than a formal test.

This topic helps identify where interpreting, translated information, and targeted service communication may be needed. It is most informative when read alongside language used at home, birthplace, and year of arrival.

Interpretation notes

  • ABS treats this as a self-assessed indicator of spoken English, not a formal test, so results should be interpreted with care.
  • The detailed English-proficiency categories mainly relate to people who use another language at home; people who speak English only are included as a separate category.

Key insight

In 2021, English only was the most common English-proficiency response among residents in Angus, accounting for 77.6% (298 people). This share was higher than Blacktown (C) (47.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which decreased by 3,026 people and 8.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Angus - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Angus in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Blacktown (C) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Angus, with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).

Angus
Blacktown (C)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

298

% of total

77.6%

Change from 2016

-8.8pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

41

% of total

10.7%

Change from 2016

+7.2pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All

2021 count

6

% of total

1.6%

Change from 2016

+1.2pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

35

% of total

9.1%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Angus. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).

Proficiency in English for Angus. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).
Proficiency in English for Angus. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Blacktown (C)%Count%Blacktown (C)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only29877.6%47.6%3,32486.4%53.7%-3,026-8.8pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well4110.7%41.3%1343.5%35.9%-93+7.2pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All61.6%5.3%150.4%5.1%-9+1.2pp
Total Not Stated359.1%5.8%3709.6%5.3%-335-0.5pp
Total384100.0%100.0%3,846100.0%100.0%-3,4620.0pp