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 Gingin (S), accounting for 82.8% (4,615 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 299 people and 0.1 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Gingin (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Gingin (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Gingin (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.

Gingin (S)
Regional WA

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

4,615

% of total

82.8%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

424

% of total

7.6%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

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

2021 count

100

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

443

% of total

7.9%

Change from 2016

-1.1pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Gingin (S). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.

Proficiency in English for Gingin (S). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
Proficiency in English for Gingin (S). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional WA%Count%Regional WA%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only4,61582.8%80.9%4,31682.7%81.7%+299+0.1pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well4247.6%8.1%3236.2%7.6%+101+1.4pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All1001.8%0.8%1112.1%0.9%-11-0.3pp
Total Not Stated4437.9%10.1%4689.0%9.8%-25-1.1pp
Total5,576100.0%100.0%5,217100.0%100.0%+3590.0pp