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 Beverley Park, accounting for 48.5% (1,284 people). This share was higher than Georges River (A) (42.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 1,247 people, while its share fell by 41.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Beverley Park - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Beverley Park in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Georges River (A) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Beverley Park, with comparison markers for Georges River (A).

Beverley Park
Georges River (A)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

1,284

% of total

48.5%

Change from 2016

-41.7pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

986

% of total

37.3%

Change from 2016

+37.3pp

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

2021 count

206

% of total

7.8%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

162

% of total

6.1%

Change from 2016

-1.2pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Beverley Park. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Georges River (A).

Proficiency in English for Beverley Park. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Georges River (A).
Proficiency in English for Beverley Park. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Georges River (A).
Category20212016Change
Count%Georges River (A)%Count%Georges River (A)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only1,28448.5%42.1%3790.2%42.3%+1,247-41.7pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well98637.3%43.1%00.0%42.3%+986+37.3pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All2067.8%10.3%37.3%11.1%+203+0.5pp
Total Not Stated1626.1%4.5%37.3%4.3%+159-1.2pp
Total2,646100.0%100.0%41100.0%100.0%+2,6050.0pp