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 Tregear, accounting for 70.4% (2,605 people). This share was higher than Blacktown (C) (47.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 2,532 people, while its share fell by 26.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Tregear - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Proficiency in English snapshot

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

Tregear
Blacktown (C)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

2,605

% of total

70.4%

Change from 2016

-26.9pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

582

% of total

15.7%

Change from 2016

+15.7pp

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

2021 count

92

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

+2.5pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

413

% of total

11.2%

Change from 2016

+3.2pp

Data table

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

Proficiency in English for Tregear. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).
Proficiency in English for Tregear. 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 Only2,60570.4%47.6%7397.3%53.7%+2,532-26.9pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well58215.7%41.3%00.0%35.9%+582+15.7pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All922.5%5.3%00.0%5.1%+92+2.5pp
Total Not Stated41311.2%5.8%68.0%5.3%+407+3.2pp
Total3,700100.0%100.0%75100.0%100.0%+3,6250.0pp