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, another language and English well or very well was the most common English-proficiency response among residents in Fairfield (C), accounting for 47.7% (99,413 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (31.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English not well or not at all, which increased by 4,835 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Proficiency in English
Fairfield (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises proficiency in english for Fairfield (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Proficiency in English snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Fairfield (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Total Speaks English Only
2021 count
48,753
% of total
23.4%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
48,753
23.4%
-1.4pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
2021 count
99,413
% of total
47.7%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
99,413
47.7%
-1.2pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
2021 count
47,801
% of total
22.9%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
47,801
22.9%
+1.3pp
Total Not Stated
2021 count
12,508
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
12,508
6.0%
+1.3pp
Chart view
Proficiency in English change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Speaks English Only
-600
-1.4pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
+2,284
-1.2pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
+4,835
+1.3pp
Total Not Stated
+3,141
+1.3pp
Data table
Proficiency in English for Fairfield (C). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| Total Speaks English Only | 48,753 | 23.4% | 57.3% | 49,353 | 24.8% | 58.4% | -600 | -1.4pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well | 99,413 | 47.7% | 31.3% | 97,129 | 48.9% | 29.3% | +2,284 | -1.2pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All | 47,801 | 22.9% | 6.4% | 42,966 | 21.6% | 6.5% | +4,835 | +1.3pp |
| Total Not Stated | 12,508 | 6.0% | 5.0% | 9,367 | 4.7% | 5.8% | +3,141 | +1.3pp |
| Total | 208,475 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 198,817 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,658 | 0.0pp |