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 Greenfield Park, accounting for 56.4% (3,044 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (47.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which increased by 3,001 people and 50.1 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Greenfield Park - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Greenfield Park, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).

Greenfield Park
Fairfield (C)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

953

% of total

17.7%

Change from 2016

-71.8pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

3,044

% of total

56.4%

Change from 2016

+50.1pp

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

2021 count

1,141

% of total

21.2%

Change from 2016

+21.2pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

256

% of total

4.7%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Greenfield Park. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).

Proficiency in English for Greenfield Park. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
Proficiency in English for Greenfield Park. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Fairfield (C)%Count%Fairfield (C)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only95317.7%23.4%61289.5%24.8%+341-71.8pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well3,04456.4%47.7%436.3%48.9%+3,001+50.1pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All1,14121.2%22.9%00.0%21.6%+1,141+21.2pp
Total Not Stated2564.7%6.0%324.7%4.7%+2240.0pp
Total5,394100.0%100.0%684100.0%100.0%+4,7100.0pp