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 Ropes Crossing, accounting for 51.5% (3,752 people). This share was higher than Blacktown (C) (47.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which increased by 612 people and 2.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Ropes Crossing - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Proficiency in English snapshot

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

Ropes Crossing
Blacktown (C)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

3,752

% of total

51.5%

Change from 2016

-1.6pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

2,963

% of total

40.7%

Change from 2016

+2.6pp

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

2021 count

239

% of total

3.3%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

325

% of total

4.5%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Data table

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

Proficiency in English for Ropes Crossing. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).
Proficiency in English for Ropes Crossing. 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 Only3,75251.5%47.6%3,27753.1%53.7%+475-1.6pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well2,96340.7%41.3%2,35138.1%35.9%+612+2.6pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All2393.3%5.3%2343.8%5.1%+5-0.5pp
Total Not Stated3254.5%5.8%3105.0%5.3%+15-0.5pp
Total7,280100.0%100.0%6,171100.0%100.0%+1,1090.0pp