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 Lansvale, accounting for 42% (1,089 people). This share was lower than Fairfield (C) (47.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English not well or not at all, which increased by 67 people and 2.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Lansvale - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Proficiency in English snapshot

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

Lansvale
Fairfield (C)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

857

% of total

33.0%

Change from 2016

-1.6pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

1,089

% of total

42.0%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

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

2021 count

490

% of total

18.9%

Change from 2016

+2.4pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

162

% of total

6.2%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Data table

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

Proficiency in English for Lansvale. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
Proficiency in English for Lansvale. 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 Only85733.0%23.4%89034.6%24.8%-33-1.6pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well1,08942.0%47.7%1,10342.9%48.9%-14-0.9pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All49018.9%22.9%42316.5%21.6%+67+2.4pp
Total Not Stated1626.2%6.0%1546.0%4.7%+8+0.2pp
Total2,595100.0%100.0%2,570100.0%100.0%+250.0pp